LaMichael James

Updates from Friday, Aug. 22

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco has an update on James' status:

LaMichael James has been cleared to play Sunday, one month after the 49ers’ third-year running back sustaining a dislocated right elbow.

James is expected to be the 49ers’ No. 3 running back behind Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde while also serving as a return specialist.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said he believes, “as it stands right now,” James will play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. He will see playing time in the return game, as well as on offense, Harbaugh said.

Updates from Wednesday, July 30

LaMichael James is on track to be ready for the regular season reports Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com:

Even by conservative estimates, 49ers running back LaMichael James should be back in time for the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 at the Dallas Cowboys.

"(We) don’t have a timetable on it," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Trainers are predicting, and LaMichael has a shorter amount of time predicted. He’s had the injury before, so we’ll see. I’m hopeful and go with LaMichael’s estimation."

When asked if a realistic time frame is the start of the regular season, Harbaugh answered, "Yes, and, under LaMichael’s estimation, sooner than that."

Original Text

Training camp injuries are every team's worst nightmare, and it appears the San Francisco 49ers are the newest victim of that fate. Again. At the same position.

Just days after Kendall Hunter tore his ACL, fellow running back LaMichael James went down with an injury that forced him to be carted from the field, per The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows:

It was later revealed that James dislocated his elbow, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

Interestingly enough, there's quite a bit of history here. James graphically dislocated his elbow against Cal in 2011, and after that game, he said he had suffered the same injury in high school. He returned a week later during the first instance, and he missed just two games with the Ducks, but this time around, it seems a little more serious. 

Rapoport, via NFL.com's Mike Coppinger, cited a source saying James is expected to be miss a month.

With Hunter lost for the season, it looked as though James and rookie Carlos Hyde were the front-runners to back up veteran Frank Gore. The third-year product out of Oregon, who entered camp at a bulkier 208 pounds, according to 49ers.com's Taylor Price, was already starting to create buzz out of camp.

That added strength, along with his breakaway speed and elusiveness, makes him a tantalizing weapon, not just lining up behind the quarterback. He's also a dynamic kick returner, capable of making plays in space.

"There's a lot of things we can do with him," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of James, via Price. "He's a multi-dimensional player."

While the severity of this injury is unknown, the timing is unequivocally awful with his role assuredly set to increase.

As Bleacher Report's Dan Hope noted, focus now turns toward the second-round pick out of Ohio State:

With Gore set to enter his 10th season (and potentially ninth straight with 200-plus carries), it becomes more important to give him rest as the season wears on.

If James' injury turns out to be serious, it looks like Hyde will be the major factor in getting Gore that rest. The talented youngster's role continues to quickly grow.

The one thing you hear NFL teams talk about regardless of the time of year is depth. You need to have players capable of stepping in at a moment's notice and performing at a high level in order to win a Super Bowl. 

Fortunately for the San Francisco 49ers, they are afforded with great depth and high-end talent at the running back position. I say that because the team received bad news when it was announced that Kendall Hunter suffered a torn ACL during Friday's practice, via the team's Twitter:

The easy reaction when Hunter's injury was reported was simply to shrug. After all, the 49ers have built an incredible stable of running backs behind incumbent starter Frank Gore. Don't underestimate the value of Hunter, though. 

Entering his fourth year out of Oklahoma State, Hunter has averaged 4.6 yards per carry on 262 attempts in 43 games as San Francisco's primary backup. His ability to pick up the blitz also gives him tremendous value for the offense. 

Blitz pickup is going to be an area the 49ers focus on with Hunter out. As Matt Maiocco of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area noted, highly touted running backs Marcus Lattimore and Carlos Hyde didn't have to do much blocking in college. 

Hunter's injury opens up a world of possibilities for the 49ers at the running back position, even more than they already had. Specifically, the two players this seems to benefit most are Hyde and disgruntled backup LaMichael James. 

Hyde is the high-profile rookie in the bunch, coming out of Ohio State after rushing for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He was a second-round pick in April's draft and the obvious candidate to succeed Gore, who is 31 years old and in the final year of his contract. 

There will be growing pains along the way for Hyde, just as there are for every rookie. ESPN.com's Bill Williamson wrote after the first day of training camp that Hyde dropped two passes. 

That is not consistent with what Hyde had been doing in minicamp and OTAs, as Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News wrote on July 16 that his "hands looked great in offseason workouts." 

Don't be concerned about one bad day on the practice field for Hyde. He has the talent and ability to be a key contributor. Otherwise, the 49ers wouldn't have traded up in the second round to get him given how deep their current stable of backs is. 

James, on the other hand, wants to be in a situation that gives him more playing time. He ended last season as San Francisco's key special teams player with 23 punt returns and 12 kickoff returns. 

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee reported in April that the 49ers were testing the market on James:

According to a league source, the 49ers have been shopping running back LaMichael James, a second-round pick in the 2012 draft.

[...]

James served as the team's primary returner last year and played well in that role, averaging nearly 11 yards a punt return. But the source said he has made it clear to the team he wants a bigger role as running back as well.

That was before the draft, so it's possible the 49ers just wanted to see if they could get a high mid-round pick for James with no real intention of trading him otherwise. 

Hunter's injury is certain to mean good things for James, who played a notable role for the 49ers in his rookie season two years ago after Hunter went down late in the year with a torn Achilles. The former Oregon star had 27 carries for 125 yards in the last four games of 2012. 

By comparison, with Hunter healthy all last season, James had just 12 carries in 10 games. Given his expanded role on special teams, the 49ers clearly have plans for the running back in the immediate future. 

James is like Hunter in a lot of ways. Both guys use more speed than power and are capable of running around defenders, so he can be that change-of-pace guy in San Francisco's offense this season. 

The sample size isn't huge, but given the strength of San Francisco's offensive line and James' 4.7 yards per carry in his first two seasons, he's going to get a long look in the preseason. 

Lattimore is the guy everyone roots for to succeed among this group because of what he's gone through just to get back on a football field, but until you see him carrying the ball again, it's hard to expect anything significant from him. 

Since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach of the 49ers in 2011, they have never attempted fewer than 492 rushes in a season. Gore isn't getting all those carries at his age. He's averaged 272 per season in Greg Roman's offense, so if we assume they run the ball at the same rate, that leaves at least 220 carries for everyone else. 

The 49ers are lucky because they don't have to worry about losing Hunter, who is a valuable part of the offense. They have fresh young legs in the backfield to support Gore, led by Hyde and James. 

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter. 

Of all the position battles set to play out during the offseason for the San Francisco 49ers, the toughest one to call is perhaps at the running back spot.

That may come as something of a surprising statement given that Frank Gore, the 49ers' all-time leading rusher, is still going strong.

However, at 31 years of age, Gore is ancient in modern-day tailback terms and will likely need more assistance from the No. 2 guy if he is to remain as effective in 2014.

The good news for the Niners and their fans is that San Francisco has a plethora of quality backs set to fight it out for the lion's share of playing time behind Gore.

But which of those players will win the contest to be Gore's primary deputy.

Here, I select my prospective victor from what figures to be a fascinating offseason competition.

The Battle

Since being drafted in 2011, Kendall Hunter has not had to do much to cement his status as Gore's No. 2.

That situation is certain to change in 2014, with a further two backs joining Hunter and LaMichael James in the mix for reps in relief of Gore.

And both of the backs have come into the pros following magnificent collegiate careers.

Marcus Lattimore was touted as arguably the best running back in the 2013 draft, only for his stock to fall after sustaining a second serious knee injury in his final season with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

That allowed the 49ers to select an extremely exciting player in the fourth round and stash Lattimore on the reserve/non-football injury list for the 2013 season while he continued his rehabilitation.

Lattimore's recovery is all but completed now, meaning that San Francisco will have the option of deploying a back who possesses an intriguing blend of speed, vision and elusiveness.

It would be fair to argue that Lattimore would be a lock to earn a high number of carries were he a member of most other teams in the NFL.

This is certainly not the case with the 49ers, who boosted a ground game that was No. 4 in the league last term by bringing in Ohio State's Carlos Hyde in the second round of this year's draft.

For a team whose offensive blueprint is based around wearing opponents down with the run, Hyde's appeal to the 49ers is not difficult to understand.

Hyde enjoyed the best year of his spell with the Buckeyes in his final campaign in Columbus while using the kind of physical downhill running style that should have head coach Jim Harbaugh—an unashamed disciple of Michigan legend Bo Schembechler—salivating.

Throw in the presence of the exhilarating but apparently unsettled speedster James and the stage is set for a fascinating four-way duel.

The victor: Carlos Hyde

He may be a rookie, but in my mind, there is little doubt that Hyde is the heir apparent to Gore and the back most likely to win the No. 2 role.

Discounting the others

Before analyzing why Hyde is the best candidate to take the primary backup role behind Gore's, let's look at why the other backs in the picture will not beat him to the job.

Kendall Hunter

Heading into training camp, it is Hunter who will be considered to have the inside track following three years of dependable service.

In his time in San Francisco, he has shown flashes of developing into a top-tier tailback in the NFL, rushing for over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns with an average of 4.6 yards per carry.

However, Hunter is entering the final year in his contract with the 49ers, and although he may be keen to impress to earn a new deal, the prospects of him remaining in San Francisco beyond the end of the 2014 campaign appear slim.

Indeed, Gore, offensive lineman Mike Iupati and wide receiver Michael Crabtree are also free agents in 2015, while Vernon Davis and and Alex Boone are angling for improved contracts.

That does not leave a career backup like Hunter in a very strong position to earn an extension.

The Niners will not neglect Hunter based on his contract situation; still, it is more realistic that San Francisco opts to afford more playing time to longer-term investments such as Hyde, Lattimore and James.

Marcus Lattimore

Lattimore may be considered by many to be the best option for the second running back spot, primarily because he was viewed as a can't-miss prospect prior to the second of his two devastating injuries.

Had he not suffered a dislocated knee in October 2012, then Lattimore may have been the first back off the board in the 2013 draft.

Instead, he slipped down the boards and into the grasp of the 49ers, whose fans can afford to be excited at the prospect of finally seeing Lattimore hit the field after a long time on the sidelines.

The combination of skills Lattimore possesses is frightening, and while there are concerns over his future as a pro, it is difficult to get away from the fact that—despite his horrendous luck in staying healthy—this is a player who, per Sports-Reference.com, was still able put up over 2,600 rushing yards and score 41 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Still, those concerns, which predominantly surround his durability, remain valid, especially when you take into account that Lattimore has not participated in a full-contact practice session since his most recent injury.

Last month, Lattimore told Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today that his recovery is going well and that he is targeting Gore's starting job; however, he concedes that he needs to practice getting tackled before he can determine how his rehabilitation has progressed:

When I take a few hits and get back up. After that, I know it's alright. So that will be the point. But right now, I'm just growing my confidence by just feeling every movement, reading the blocks of my offensive linemen, catching the ball and making sudden movements without thinking about it.

Lattimore evidently understands and is mindful that patience will play a key role in his return to action and adjustment to life as an active player in the NFL.

The first test will be to see whether his knee can stand up to the demands of a physical practice and, more importantly, a preseason game.

Providing Lattimore comes through those examinations, there is little to stop a player of his calibre contributing and competing for that No. 2 spot as he looks to carve out the career he deserves following the setbacks that have dogged his attempts to make it in the NFL.

It must not be forgotten, though, that Lattimore has not played a down in over 18 months.

Therefore, it is fair to expect it to take some time for Lattimore to hit his stride in the pros, handing the advantage to the likes of Hunter and Hyde in this intriguing fight for snaps.

LaMichael James

One player Lattimore should be able to beat in the competition for playing time is James.

James' role with the 49ers appears to be set in stone following two seasons in which he has barely registered as an offensive factor, with San Francisco opting to leave him on the bench for the most part of his early NFL career.

A player with frightening speed and athleticism, James has been limited to 39 carries in his first two seasons in San Francisco.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the former Oregon played a mere 36 offensive snaps in 2013 and has been quite vocal in registering his disappointment at that fact.

San Francisco found a use for James midway through last season, handing him the kick and punt return duties after Kyle Williams was waived.

James solidified an area that had previously been one of concern for the 49ers, ranking at No. 16 among all return men in the league, per PFF.

The 2012 second-round pick has been taking a lot of reps as a punt returner during the offseason and, according to David Fucillo of Niners Nation, has looked sharp in doing so.

It may seem like a waste, but particularly with Hyde and Lattimore entering the fray, the only way James is going to get to showcase his talents is in the third facet of the game.

Making the case for Hyde

There are a variety of factors that may prevent Hunter, Lattimore and James from taking the spot as the No. 2 back.

So why is Hyde the best candidate to serve as Gore's understudy in 2014?

Skill set

For starters, Hyde has the best skill set of any of the backs on the roster aside from Gore.

At 6'0" and 235 pounds, Hyde has an ideal frame for the position and uses that to perfection. He is a physical, determined runner who lowers the pads in preparation for impact and finishes runs.

And yet while he excels in between the tackles, Hyde is much more than just a power runner.

Hyde can contribute as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, making 16 grabs for 147 yards and three touchdowns in 2013, according to Sports-Reference.com.

What has helped Gore succeed over the years in San Francisco is that he has been a valuable player in the three areas that are key to the progress of any running back in the NFL: rushing, receiving and blocking.

Indeed, one of the main reasons why Gore is so well regarded is because of his outstanding ability to pick up blitzes and help the 49ers in pass protection.

Hyde may be a long way from Gore's level in terms of his blocking skills, but he displayed a capability and willingness to make an impact in looking after the quarterback in his magnificent stint as a Buckeye.

The all-around ability of Hyde was encapsulated perfectly by his stunning performance in the 40-35 Orange Bowl defeat at the hands of Clemson in January.

In that encounter, Hyde rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes, including one for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, for 39 yards.

But what is just as admirable when watching film of that contest is Hyde's tireless work as a blocker for quarterback Braxton Miller and speedier rushers such as Dontre Wilson.

It is always a risk to throw a rookie—even one as talented as Hyde—into the fray.

However, the 49ers should see Hyde's aptitude as a blocker as a big positive and another reason why they can feel assured in his potential to come in and be an immediate factor.

Production

Hyde's abilities are strikingly similar to those of Gore, and he has backed up his attributes with excellent production throughout his career to date.

After a freshman year in which he earned just 24 carries, Hyde's production consistently increased year upon year, totaling over 3,100 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground for the Buckeyes.

It was Hyde's senior year that was his most impressive as he earned third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors by racking up over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing the first three games of the season due to a suspension.

Year	Att	Yds	Avg	TDs
2011	106	566	5.3	6
2012	185	970	5.2	16
2013	208	1521	7.3	15

The transition to the pros is always a tough one, but the fact remains that this is a player who averaged a gaudy 7.3 yards per carry in 2013 in one of the toughest divisions in college.

Those are numbers that cannot afford to be ignored, and providing Hyde performs well in training camp, it seems doubtful that a team so devoted to run as the 49ers will do so.

Managing Gore's effectiveness

For all the talk of Gore's eventual decline, the fact is it has yet to arrive.

Gore is coming off a third straight 1,000-yard season—his seventh in eight years—and will hope to continue that run in what will be his 10th year in the league.

But as much as the 49ers and Gore will refuse to admit it, he is unlikely to keep up that level of performance.

And although he still played to a highly admirable level in 2013, there were signs of Gore slowing down in the last campaign.

In the regular season, Gore was held to under three yards per carry on six occasions and, by contrast, was able to put together just three games of 100 yards or more.

1st	Att - 92	Yds - 347	Avg - 3.8	TD - 2
2nd	Att - 74	Yds - 311	Avg - 4.2	TD - 4
3rd	Att - 92	Yds - 328	Avg - 3.6	TD - 2
4th	Att - 66	Yds - 306	Avg - 4.6	TD - 2

Patience is perhaps one of Gore's best qualities, which is demonstrated by his displays in the fourth quarter, where most of his best work was done last season.

Gore averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the fourth quarter, more than at any other point in regular-season games.

Additionally, he broke off key game-sealing runs in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks and in the NFC divisional playoff with the Carolina Panthers.

The contributions Gore has made late in games have been pivotal to the 49ers' recent successes.

Yet, if San Francisco wants Gore to continue to make an impact in the closing stages, then it will need to manage him more effectively.

That is where Hyde comes in.

A workhorse for Ohio State, Hyde is well versed in the art of slowly wearing down defenses and, with his hard-nosed downhill style of running, figures to be better at doing so than the likes of Lattimore.

The 49ers will face three tough run defenses in the NFC West in the form of the Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams, all of whom are familiar with the threat posed by the ageing Gore.

Adding in a young, bruising and talented back like Hyde will give those opponents another dynamic player to deal with, potentially making it easier for San Francisco to grind down teams and keep Gore fresh for those late surges that he has perfected over the years.

In a contract year, Gore will understandably be keen to demonstrate that he can continue to make a big impact at the highest level and is unlikely to be happy ceding carries to anyone, although a competitor of his character should relish the battle between himself and a group of exciting young backs.

Introducing Hyde into the picture could be seen as a negative for the veteran; however, it may prove to be the perfect way to extend Gore's career and maintain his effectiveness as a premier NFL running back.

Gore and Hyde figure to be an excellent one-two punch for San Francisco, providing the Niners with a pair of rushers adept at attacking the heart of a defense.

In the fourth quarter of games, Gore has often been able to stick a dagger in opposing defenses.

Naming Hyde as the primary reserve is the best way to ensure that he is able to demonstrate that ability again in 2014.

How it will play out

Hyde, as long as he can deliver on his outstanding potential, projects as the future of the San Francisco rushing attack.

How long that future takes to arrive depends on the impression Hyde is able to make in preseason and whether the 49ers are willing to plug a rookie into the lineup in an important role.

The good news for Hyde is that they have shown no hesitation in doing so in the past, most recently in the case of free safety Eric Reid.

Reid made it to the Pro Bowl after being handed the starting berth last season, taking the mantle in a key area of the field following the departure of Dashon Goldson.

Gore's presence in the side will probably prevent Hyde from having quite the same success.

However, Hyde's intriguing skill set presents a viable alternative to Gore, and while his lack of experience may favour 2013 backup Hunter, it will be no surprise when the best running back in the 2014 draft emerges as the main reserve and, eventually, the starter for the 49ers.

Note: All statistics courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise stated.

Nicholas McGee is a San Francisco 49ers Featured Columnist based in Leeds, England. Follow him on Twitter @nicholasmcgee24.

For most of the league, OTAs got underway this week, allowing teams to practice as a whole for the first time this season. It is also the first opportunity for coaches to see any holes in their roster. The New York Giants will be one of these teams looking to see if any further additions are needed. They still have some questions at certain positions that they could address via trade. There are a number of players out there the Giants could trade for to fill these holes and, for the most part, could probably get them without giving up too much on their end. 

Brandon Graham: Defensive End, Philadelphia

Graham was a first-round pick in the 2010 draft and was expected to pair up with perennial Pro Bowl pass-rusher Trent Cole. Unfortunately things haven't quite worked out that way, with issues ranging from cheesesteak-related weight gain to the inability to transition to the new 3-4 defense. He now finds himself on the trade block, per NFL.com, especially with the selection of outside linebacker Marcus Smith.

Why this makes sense

The Giants defensive end position is nowhere near as deep as it has been in recent years. Jason Pierre-Paul is entrenched on one side with Mathias Kiwanuka, Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers fighting for the other side. 

Kiwanuka has shown flashes for Big Blue but has yet to consistently deliver. Robert Ayers had pretty much the same story in Denver. Moore had a great year from a special teams standpoint but didn't see much action defensively. The Giants may want to bring in some more competition, and they do like taking on former first-round picks who flamed out with their previous teams (Aaron Curry, Keith Rivers and Ayers).

Graham did show promise towards the end of the 2012 season, compiling four sacks over the final five weeks, which means he could be on the cusp of breaking out if he can return to the 4-3 system. He is stuck behind Trent Cole and Connor Barwin on the depth chart, and Marcus Smith will likely get preferential treatment since he is naturally a 3-4 outside linebacker and a first-round pick. 

Factors preventing this trade

The primary factor for this is the Eagles would be unlikely to trade a promising young player to a divisional rival. As stated, Graham was starting to round into form prior to switching to the 3-4 defense. If they traded him to the Giants and he became a star, it would be a move they would never be able to swallow. 

Derrick Morgan: Defensive End, Tennessee

Morgan is in the same boat as Graham. He is a 4-3 defensive end lost in a 3-4 scheme. Morgan also came from the 2010 draft class but so far has not lived up to his first-round billing, amassing 16.5 sacks in four years (in other words, as many as JPP—who was drafted right before him—racked up in 2011). With the acquisition of Shaun Phillips in free agency, Morgan's time to prove himself as a pass-rusher may be up. 

Why this makes sense

As stated above, the Giants may want another younger, talented player to push for starting time on their defensive line. He has been more productive than Graham so far, so he would be a more logical choice to pursue. 

Factors preventing this trade

The Titans would likely be reluctant to part with Morgan. Even though he hasn't been as productive as they would have hoped, he is just hitting the prime of his career and is a solid player. Both Phillips and Kamerion Wimbley are on the wrong side of 30 so, if nothing else, Morgan brings youth to their pass rush.

LaMichael James: Running Back, San Francisco

James was drafted in the second round of the 2012 draft and was expected to be an electric change-of-pace back to complement Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. Things haven't quite gone that way so far in his career as he has played in only 14 games in two years. He now finds himself struggling for room on the depth chart with the drafting of Carlos Hyde in the second round and Marcus Lattimore recovered from his injury. 

Why this makes sense

The Giants running back issues were a big part of why they did so poorly on offense last year. Former first-round pick David Wilson is still recovering from his neck injury, leaving Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams as the two primary running backs.

Jennings and Williams are both power backs and really aren't threats as receivers out of the backfield. James could give the Giants a legitimate receiving threat, something they have been lacking since the days of Tiki Barber. 

Factors preventing this trade

San Francisco GM Trent Baalke has denied the reports that James is on the trade block. It would likely take an offer more than what Giants GM Jerry Reese would be willing to spend to get James, no matter how dynamic he can be. 

Luke Stocker: Tight End, Tampa Bay

Stocker was considered one of the best tight ends in the 2011 draft. He didn't have the best speed, but he was still a mismatch as a receiver. Despite the high praise leading into the draft, his impact in the NFL has been almost nonexistent, totaling just 28 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown in 22 starts. Now he is stuck behind free-agent acquisition Brandon Myers and second-round pick Austin Seferian-Jenkins on the depth chart.

Why this makes sense

The Giants' tight end position is probably their weakest unit currently. The penciled-in starter is Adrien Robinson, who is a breakout candidate but has very limited NFL experience. Behind him is a stable of blocking tight ends, none of which are really known for their catching ability. 

Stocker is a big-bodied tight end at 6'5" and 253 pounds who can box out defenders quite easily. He would give the Giants another receiver option at the tight end spot to push Robinson. 

Factors preventing this trade

Jerry Reese has said on more than one occasion that he is happy with the tight ends they have, hence not using a draft pick on one. If he didn't use a draft pick on a tight end in the 2014 draft, I don't see him using a 2015 pick on one that will be 26 before the start of the season. 

Derek Sherrod: Offensive Tackle, Green Bay

Sherrod was the final first-round pick of the 2011 draft and was expected to pair with Bryan Bulaga to protect the edges for Aaron Rodgers. He has played sparingly thus far, appearing in only 12 games with no starts and missing the 2012 season entirely due to complications recovering from a broken leg. This is likely his last year in Green Bay as it chose not to pick up his fifth-year option. 

Why this makes sense

The Giants offensive line was in need of some work following a season where the New York City subway turnstiles would have provided Eli Manning with better blocking. They upgraded at the left guard and center positions, but one position that still may need help is the left tackle position. 

Incumbent Will Beatty suffered a broken leg in the final game of the season. Even prior to the injury, he was falling out of favor with the Giants considering he was rewarded with a big contract extension last year but was playing so poorly. 

Sherrod is currently the odd man out in Green Bay with Bulaga and Marshall Newhouse manning the bookends. Sherrod still has some life left in him and might just need a change of scenery to reach his full potential. He would come in and push Beatty for the starting job and could quite possibly beat him out for it. Not to mention the fact that new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo worked with him in Green Bay and knows that he could come in and fit the new offensive system.

Factors preventing this trade

If Jerry Reese was serious about giving Beatty some competition, he probably would have done so in the draft with Zack Martin available in the first round and Morgan Moses available in the second round. Reese will likely give Beatty one more season to prove himself. Instead, he just provided depth behind Beatty.

Out of all the trades listed, trading for Sherrod would be the most likely one to happen. Beatty is a question mark from both a health standpoint and a talent standpoint. His current backup, Charles Brown, graded out as one of the worst left tackles in the league last year, ranking 66 out of 76, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). As stated, Sherrod should have at least some familiarity with McAdoo's new system, giving him a leg up on his competition.

I don't actually expect Reese to make any of the trades listed here. Reese values draft picks very highly and doesn't give them up easily. Still, given the situation the Giants faced last year, and the fact the Jon Beason trade worked out so well, Reese may decide to break from his mold a little bit to get this team back to the Super Bowl. 

LaMichael James has finally reported to camp for the San Francisco 49ers’ voluntary workouts.  This comes after missing the first few weeks and missing out on a $50,000 workout bonus, which has been read as a sign that James is angling for a trade out of town.

It’s not the first sign that James has wanted out.  It was reported back in April that James was looking for a change of scene and the opportunity to actually play; he only participated in 28 snaps last season.

Looking at the depth chart as it stands now, James doesn’t look poised to earn too many more snaps in 2014, either.  You have the ageless Frank Gore still carrying the load.  Behind him is last year’s No. 2 running back Kendall Hunter, second-round pick Carlos Hyde and the redshirted Marcus Lattimore.  It’s suddenly a very crowded backfield in San Francisco.

James still has some value to the team as a kick returner, as he took over the reins there after Kyle Williams was released in the middle of last season.  However, it seems he’s not satisfied with that role, and would like to move on in 2014.

What could the 49ers get for James?  Probably not a lot; a running back with 184 career rushing yards isn’t going to be lighting up the trade market.  We’re talking a sixth- or seventh-round pick, if that.  It’s more likely that the 49ers would release James, and someone else would pick him up that way.

What are some possible destinations for James, and which teams might be interested in parting with some draft capital to pick him up?  Let’s look at three possibilities:

Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray	Pro Bowler in 2013
Lance Dunbar	225 career rush yards
Joseph Randle	164 career rush yards
Ryan Williams	Waived by Arizona
Ben Malena	Undrafted free agent from Texas A&M

DeMarco Murray is always a health risk at starting running back.  Murray’s missed eight games over the last two seasons with foot and knee injuries.  He’s definitely effective when he’s on the field, but he’s yet to play a full season in the NFL.

The list of backs behind Murray isn’t nearly as deep as what San Francisco boasts.  Lance Dunbar did show some promise as a reserve last season, but promise is far from actual production at this point.  The Cowboys aren’t invested enough in any of these players to even make them locks for the roster, much less guaranteed backups.

Scott Linehan, the coordinator of the passing game for the Cowboys, recently said in an interview with ESPN that he likes using running backs in the passing game, pointing to Moe Williams in Minnesota.   James can be that sort of all-purpose back; he had over 500 yards receiving at Oregon.  He’d have a good chance to win that second back role, or at least to come in on third downs.  It’s more work than he’s getting in San Francisco, at any rate.

Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice	Held to 660 rush yards last season
Bernard Pierce	968 career rush yards
Lorenzo Taliaferro	Rookie out of Coastal Carolina
Justin Forsett	Cap casualty from Jacksonville
Cierre Wood	Picked up from New England's practice squad

The Ravens find themselves in sudden needs of depth at running back.  Ray Rice may be facing a suspension from the league thanks to charges of aggravated assault, and his on-field production fell off of a cliff last season, anyway.

The primary backup, Bernard Pierce, underwent shoulder surgery to repair his rotator cuff this offseason.  While it looks like he’ll be ready for training camp, it leaves another question mark in the backfield.

With the Ravens and 49ers holding joint preseason practices this year, Baltimore’s coaching staff will get an up-close-and-personal look at James.  If Rice gets stuck with a long suspension and Pierce’s shoulder acts up on the way to training camp, James would be an intriguing option for the Ravens.

Denver Broncos

Montee Ball	559 career rush yards
Ronnie Hillman	545 career rush yards
C.J. Anderson	38 career rush yards
Jerodis Williams	Waived by Minnesota
Brennan Clay	Undrafted free agent from Oklahoma
Kapri Bibbs	Undrafted free agent from Colorado State
Juwan Thompson	Undrafted free agent from Duke

This pick is more of a shot in the dark, but stay with me for a moment.

You can see that the Broncos don’t have a lot of veteran experience on the roster. Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman will likely be the top two backs again, but then you have a selection of undrafted free agents to choose from behind them.

The Broncos are also in win-now mode, meaning they’re more likely to give up future draft picks than a team in a constant state of rebuilding; they need players on the field in 2014 to maximize their championship window with the aging Peyton Manning.

James could be an immediate improvement over Hillman to complement Ball’s more bruising skill set.  James could potentially add more of an offensive explosion to Denver’s backfield.  Working in an offense directed by Peyton Manning, James would be able to get into space very easily and turn on the juice from there.  They like using screen passes; James would be an interesting weapon to add to their loaded offense.

Bryan Knowles is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers.  Follow him @BryKno on Twitter.

The San Francisco 49ers significantly bolstered their resources in the 2014 NFL draft, adding 12 players to a roster that was already considered to be among the deepest in the league.

General manager Trent Baalke has been widely praised for a draft that addressed a number of present and future needs.

And perhaps the most exciting and surprising pick the 49ers made was the one they made in the second round to acquire the services of Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde.

After trading pick No. 56 to the Denver Broncos, San Francisco jumped straight back up to No. 57 to select Hyde, who muddies a backfield picture that already appeared complicated heading into the draft.

With starter Frank Gore approaching the end of his career and out of contract in 2015, this selection makes a great deal of sense for a team that makes a living out of being able to run the ball consistently. However, the 49ers now have four backs that are likely to be in competition for playing time behind Gore, potentially leaving San Francisco with a dilemma to solve at the position at some point in the future.

Here, I break down how the addition of Hyde has affected one of the most talented and crowded backfields in football.

Evaluating the pick

In attaining Hyde—arguably the best running back in the 2014 class—with a late second-round pick, San Francisco got extraordinary value. But what attributes will he bring to an already talented, although perhaps underachieving, offense?

Well, the 49ers will be getting a back that has many similarities to their all-time leading rusher, Gore.

A well-built, 240-pound workhorse, Hyde possesses a fantastic combination of size and power, which he used to great effect during his time with the Buckeyes to rack up over 3,000 yards rushing and 41 total touchdowns in four seasons in Columbus.

Hyde also displays patience and vision when running the ball, while his surprising speed for a player of his size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield are two of the more underrated aspects of his game. 

The main question mark surrounding Hyde heading into the draft was over his character following a three-game suspension at the start of the 2013 season in connection to an altercation involving a young woman at a bar.

However, Hyde rebounded from that controversy to enjoy a hugely impressive final collegiate campaign and clearly did enough to convince the 49ers to use an early-round selection to take him.

Hyde is an excellent fit for a run-first San Francisco offense, but it remains unclear how his presence in the team will impact the other backs currently signed to the 49ers roster.

Examining the other running backs

In order to make a proper judgement as to how Hyde's arrival will affect the roles of the other backs on the 49ers squad, we need to assess the status of each of those players within the team.

Frank Gore

Few current players are as revered in San Francisco as Frank Gore.

The 49ers' all-time leading rusher is understandably a firm fan favorite and has shown no signs of slowing down. Last season, Gore produced his seventh 1,000-yard season in eight years and found the end zone on nine occasions, with Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranking him at No. 12 among all running backs in the NFL.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said at league's annual meeting in March that Gore has "three more good years" in him. However, that remark is likely to draw some scepticism considering that Gore turned 31 on Wednesday.

It is yet to be seen whether the 49ers will choose to extend Gore's contract, but even with Hyde coming into the picture, he is a near-lock to be the starter in 2014.

Still, with Gore approaching the latter part of his career, expect Hyde to eat into his playing time as San Francisco looks to keep the ageing veteran fresh and as effective as possible.

Kendall Hunter

As backup running backs go, Kendall Hunter has been extremely proficient in his three seasons in San Francisco

Indeed, the 2011 fourth-round pick has over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns to his name as a 49er, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. However, like Gore, Hunter's contract expires at the end of the 2014 campaign.

While Hunter has been a serviceable player for the 49ers, it is difficult to see him staying with the franchise beyond the culmination of the coming year.

It has never looked like the former Oklahoma State Sooner has significantly reduced Gore's playing time, a fact that is probably more down to Gore's excellence rather than any of his deficiencies, but it's one that could well count against him when the 49ers come to evaluate their options next offseason.

His experience over Hyde, LaMichael James and Marcus Lattimore may see Hunter earn more immediate touches than any of the other San Francisco backups, yet Hunter's long-term future in the Bay Area is questionable at best.

LaMichael James

How do you solve a problem like LaMichael James?

It is a question that has likely plagued 49ers staff for some time and one that has consistently been on the lips of the team's fans.

The frustrating thing is that a player of James' caliber should not be a problem for San Francisco. He should, undoubtedly, be an asset to its offense. And yet the 49ers have struggled to find a role for the former Oregon speedster.

James barely featured in the running game in 2013, although he should be praised for at least solidifying the 49ers' return game after the below-par performance of Kyle Williams earlier in the season.

But limiting a player that totaled 58 touchdowns in his collegiate career to special teams appears a dreadful waste of talent. According to CSN Bay Area, James has previously expressed his disappointment at his role with the team, reportedly tweeting his frustration at being used as "insurance" back in October.

There has been speculation during the offseason that James could be on his way out of San Francisco, with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reporting last month that the 49ers were looking to trade the 24-year-old.

Those rumours have since been scotched by Baalke, who—per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area—expressed satisfaction with James' efforts in the return game and insisted that the 49ers have no plans to replace him.

San Francisco will hope that James—contracted with the team until 2016—will be able to show further improvement as a kick returner after ranking at No. 16 (subscription required) among all players at that spot in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus.

James, though, seems unlikely to be satisfied with featuring exclusively on special teams, and his role in that area may well be under threat due to the 49ers' addition of wide receiver Bruce Ellington, who can also contribute in the return game, with a fourth-round pick.

Hyde entering the picture makes James' future with San Francisco even more unclear, and unless the Niners can get him more touches, do not be surprised if the former second-round pick's time in the Bay Area soon comes to an end.

Marcus Lattimore

The 49ers have a wild card in their pocket heading into the 2014 season, and his name is Marcus Lattimore.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, Lattimore's talent is doubtless. Yet no one really knows how he will perform when he takes to the field after missing his entire rookie year.

Lattimore tore three major ligaments in his knee in his final year with South Carolina and was redshirted last season by San Francisco.

There are questions as to whether Lattimore will ever be the same player, however, the 22-year-old has experience coming all the way back from injury, recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2011 to play in 2012 following extensive rehabilitation.

His prospective return from his most recent injury has been reported to be going well, although Lattimore—per Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News—has recently conceded that he is still lacking the first-step burst that was so apparent in his career with the Gamecocks, which saw him put up over 2,600 rushing yards and 41 offensive touchdowns.

The general consensus seems to be that Hyde was drafted in part as insurance in case Lattimore does not pan out, but should Lattimore display the kind of form that impressed so many during his stint with South Carolina, then the Niners could have a magnificent prospective one-two punch on their hands.

The Verdict

Following linebacker Aldon Smith's latest off-the-field indiscretions, Baalke, per ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, stated that the 49ers "don't just open the door and toss people out."

That quote could be applied to any of the running backs currently on the 49ers roster, but the cold, hard truth is that eventually San Francisco will have to part company with at least one of its quintet of backfield options, as it did with Anthony Dixon this offseason.

Hunter looks to be the most likely candidate to be the next to move to pastures new, but the 2014 campaign may also be James' last as a 49er, depending on how the season plays out in terms of his impact on special teams. 

But it is Gore who presents the real predicament for San Francisco. He could almost be considered ancient in running back terms, yet if he puts together another 1,000-yard season, then the 49ers will have little choice to reward him with an extension.

The best-case scenario for the Niners is that they finally secure that coveted sixth Super Bowl title, allowing Gore to sail off into the sunset and San Francisco to deploy a three-headed monster with Hyde and Lattimore, featuring James as the change-of-pace back.

With the talent at the 49ers' disposal, there is little doubt that they will be among the contenders for the Super Bowl, but the franchise certainly cannot afford to bank on that prospect, and it is a distinct possibility that San Francisco will have a difficult decision over whether to retain Gore beyond the end of the 2014 season.

In my view, the future at the running back spot is firmly in the hands of Hyde and Lattimore, providing, of course, that both are able to deliver on their undoubted potential. But with Gore—considered by many 49ers fans to be a prospective Hall of Famer—still performing at a Pro Bowl level, that future may take some time to arrive.

Note: All statistics courtesy of Sports Reference unless otherwise stated. Carlos Hyde video courtesy of DraftBreakdown.

On Wednesday, April 16, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee broke a report that the San Francisco 49ers are working the phones with the intentions of trading third-string tailback LaMichael James. Shocking, considering that this news comes only two months after general manager Trent Baalke assured the 2012 second-round pick would not be traded.

But the NFL is a business and things invariably change, sometimes overnight.

Was James shocked to hear the news? Not in the least bit.

Can the 49ers pull back from here? Unlikely. The relationship is utterly tarnished.

They’ll have to move him come hell or high water, even it means dumping him on another ballclub for next to nothing. It’s unfortunate for all parties involved. James lost out on part of his pro career and the 49ers are missing out on a playmaker simply because he doesn’t fit the offense.

Nevertheless, it appears this ship will indeed sail. Let’s take a look at the brief history and all the moving parts that has San Francisco in this predicament.

What Brought Us to This Point?

For the most part, LaMichael James has shouldered a lot of the blame, superfluously. Some point to his small stature, tap dancing behind the line, ball-security issues and even his cryptic antics on social media, which, in the way they are perceived, are truly in the eye of the beholder.

But hey, the former Heisman runner-up received just 39 total carries in two whole seasons (active for 14 out of 32 regular-season games). There’s hardly a body of work to judge, though that hasn't stopped anybody.

Added to which, San Francisco’s clear lack of interest in getting such a high-profile player and draft pick involved would have rubbed anyone the wrong way. James has been the star all his life.

It was only after Kendall Hunter tore his Achilles in 2012 that James was activated to the game-day roster, appearing in four regular-season games. He carried 27 times during that period, finishing with a 4.6 yards-per-carry average, which included multiple long runs. This was solid output in a time of need, especially when you consider the run system did not at all cater to his skill set.

He played in the playoffs as well (5.9 YPC) but was less of a factor in his sophomore campaign, when many thought he would make a leap.

His already low amount of carries were actually cut in half.

In 2013, James had just four attempts against Houston and broke one of them for 11 yards, finishing with a 7.8 yards-per-carry average. He had two carries versus New Orleans and had a long run of seven yards. Later in the season, he netted two carries versus Tampa Bay and ripped one for 21 yards, finishing with an 11.0 YPC average.

And that was about all she wrote. James received handoffs in just five games (12 total attempts), still boasting an average of 4.9 yards apiece. And that was without having the fortune of catching a rhythm (reading a defense, learning tendencies and setting up the next run).

In his shortened career with the 49ers, he had long runs of 11, 13, 17, 21 and 26 yards in very limited regular-season touches, per ESPN. His big-play highlights also include the 62-yard kick return in 2012 on prime time versus the New England Patriots, setting up the comeback and game-winning touchdown.

There was also his read-option carry versus the Atlanta Falcons that went for a touchdown, which was the clear turning point in the 2012 NFC Championship Game.

Nevertheless, there was never an attempt to assimilate James into the offense or evolve the system around his unique skill set. He is a finesse rusher who was supposed to open up the run game and aerial attack by giving it a player who could bolt outside the numbers on tosses, stretch plays, pitches and off the read-option.

And from the minute he was drafted, James was also projected to be a dangerous screen and check-down weapon, akin to former New Orleans Saints and current Philadelphia Eagles tailback Darren Sproles.

"They already have Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon," former Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden said, analyzing the pick at the 2012 NFL draft. "But LaMichael James is different. Can they use him like a Darren Sproles in the passing game?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUszqTx9bus

This question was inevitably answered, as the offense never changed and James was mothballed.

According to Pro Football Focus (via CSN Bay Area), the 49ers only ran five screen plays to halfbacks all season, which was the second fewest in the NFL. Many pointed to the hulking offensive line as a power unit, one that does not excel at finesse plays like screens, which require downfield blocking. 

That’s a big reason the offensive staff never worked to structure a package around James. Although yours truly doesn’t believe an offensive line with three first-round picks and a versatile swing-tackle-turned-guard is limited to straight power football and nothing else.

It’s just something they need to work at, like the Saints do tirelessly.

Building on the case for James not being integrated, many have even pointed to the shortcomings of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who does not quite excel as an underneath thrower. Reporter Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area raised an interesting note:

Two former NFL quarterbacks recently suggested – neither wanted to be quoted –Kaepernick might spend too much time in the weight room bulking up his upper body. Being too muscular could make a quarterback tight and mechanical, which would have a negative impact on touch passes.

Kap has struggled with the short part of the field, both seeing it and delivering the football.

So, all in all, we’re seeing a total lack of schematic compatibility, an unwillingness from the staff to change, coupled with the fact that the 49ers have an all-timer and workhorse in Frank Gore blocking James’ path to the field. Not to mention, a potential starting-caliber backup in Kendall Hunter.

The Fan Theory

Many of the diehards believe LaMichael James simply wasn’t a good player in practice and never showed enough to be willing to get reps. That’s interesting, in theory, and even if somewhat true, it probably doesn’t tell the whole story. You don’t cut a player loose before knowing what he can offer in games.

The 49ers still don’t know. All they know is he doesn’t fit the system.

Therefore: (1) He cannot be compared to wideout A.J. Jenkins. He was bad in practice and bad on the field, but the team still forced him on the field, seeing what he could do. James was never forced into the lineup in that manner. (2) Superstars, while they fine-tune their game in practice, are created on the gridiron in live action.

Players like Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, James Harrison and Victor Cruz lingered on team’s depth charts, coming in as late-round picks or going undrafted. Some were practice-squad players, but the one thing they have in common is they were defined when they got on the football field.

And these are just a few names—the list goes on.

If you believe superstars are made on the practice field, then you might have Mark Sanchez as your starting quarterback. Furthermore, if you don’t believe James might become something if and when he arrives at his next destination, look at what teams drafted Brett Favre and Steve Young, for instance.

It wasn’t the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.

A systematic fit is everything in professional football. If you don’t fit, it’s harder to play. And if you’re also coming in at a stacked position with proven guys ahead of you, you can all but forget about getting into the lineup, no matter how talented you are. Experience often trumps theoretical upside.

 

Should the 49ers Part with LaMichael James?

In short, yes, they should.

The 49ers clearly aren’t going to use LaMichael James, and he deserves an opportunity to get his NFL career started. All the information we have available leads us to believe this was a botched pick from the get-go; largely a miscommunication between the front office and coaching staff.

Baalke, with every fiber of his being, wanted to deploy a three-headed approach with some diversity. And by all intents and purposes, the 49ers offensive staff simply wasn’t willing to budge from its between-the-tackle power approach. This is what Baalke said, per Maiocco of CSN Bay Area:

I'm a big believer -- we are big believers -- in a three-headed approach. In other words, having a group of backs that bring to the table something a little bit different than the other one so you can do a lot of different things. But also having those backs be able to do enough things the same so you don't become so predictable on game day.

Pro Bowler Frank Gore is still carrying the load, averaging 272 carries per year under the Schembechler-esque regime of coach Jim Harbaugh, via Pro Football Reference. In fact, even Hunter’s workload has tapered off from 2012-13, as the offense has continued to ride No. 21 into the ground on a weekly basis.

Even though they’re bringing in backs to prepare for life after Gore, they won’t distribute carries in the meantime. 

And stylistically, all one has to do is look at the style of backs Harbaugh had at Stanford and the glowing light in which he held pedestrian players like Owen Marecic. The 49ers head coach likes powerful grinders. He’s never had a back like James, nor does that prototype fit his system.

James being good or bad hardly played in. The team wasn’t willing to find out.

Clearly, it was a pick that should’ve never been made. The 49ers and LaMichael James are at odds and it’s now time to cut the cord. In being fair to the player, the only solution is to trade him to another team that has room on the roster and a system more compatible to an East-and-West, open-field runner.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference, unless specified otherwise. Timeline information provided by Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. 

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