Kyle Shanahan
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
When the San Francisco 49ers drafted Jordan James back in April, they weren’t just trying to add another body to the backfield — they saw a young running back who might be able to complement Christian McCaffrey.
Things changed a bit for James when the Niners traded for Brian Robinson Jr. on August 22.
The addition of Robinson, a former third-round pick, has immediate implications for James. While the rookie has shown flashes in camp, a broken finger limited his opportunities. Robinson is healthy and ready to go. With Isaac Guerendo and Jeff Wilson also competing for spots on the 53-man roster, James is suddenly fighting uphill.
SB Nation’s Jason Aponte thinks James could be the odd man out.
“I think the Robinson trade allows the 49ers to redshirt James this season, and he’ll be pushed to the IR,” Aponte wrote on August 22. “Given Kyle Shanahan’s track record, he’ll feel more comfortable with Wilson. However, if the 49ers are down to Wilson as a starter, things aren’t going to be good. Either way, James may be a candidate to sit out his first season.”
James Had Standout College Career at Oregon
James came to San Francisco following a three-year career at Oregon. He finished with more than 2,200 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns with the Ducks in that span. His 2024 season was his best, as he rushed for over 1,200 yards and finished with 15 touchdowns. He amassed 12 total TDs the year prior.
What made James an intriguing NFL prospect was his versatility coupled with his toughness. He wasn’t known for elite speed, but his ability to work within zone schemes coupled with his good hands out of the backfield made him an attractive option in Shanahan’s system.
“I think they have a great outside-zone run scheme that I’m pretty good at, that I did a lot at Oregon,” James said after getting drafted by the Niners, via 49ers Webzone. “So, I think I’ll fit pretty well into their scheme, into their offense in general.”
The 49ers’ fifth-round investment in James, however, took a backseat when they acquired Robinson from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Could RB Jordan James Be Cut By the San Francisco 49ers?
Jordan James
GettyWill the 49ers cut rookie RB Jordan James?
Whatever his talents, James can’t touch Robinson’s experience. That could spell trouble.
Robinson has a proven track record at the NFL level, rushing for nearly 800 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He brings a physical style of play and a reliability in pass protection that few rookies can match. But his broken finger was a definite setback.
The most realistic outcome may be that James spends his first season on the practice squad, where the 49ers can continue to develop his game without using a roster spot. His college résumé and draft pedigree suggest he has a future in the league, but San Francisco’s decision to add Robinson underscores how little margin there is for a rookie running back trying to carve out a role in this league.