7th-round pick James hoping to catch on
Last week, as rookie wide receiver Richie James was escorted into the media room, a member of the 49ers’ publicrelations staff told reporters “Ricky James” was available for an interview.
James took the gaffe in stride, politely making the correction. However, it probably counted as the latest humbling moment for the recordbreaking pass-catcher who was nearly overlooked in the NFL draft.
After posting two 100-catch seasons at Middle Tennessee State, where he owns school records in receptions (244), receiving yards (3,261) and touchdown catches (23), James was associated with another big number: 240.
That was where the seventhround pick was selected in the 256-player draft, which made for an arduous experience.
“It was a very long three days,” James said.
James, who can play outside and in the slot in the NFL, had a long list of college accomplishments: He ranked third in the nation in receptions in 2015 (107) and 2016 (105), and became the sixth player in FBS history to have 200 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a game in 2016.
However, his slip to the seventh round was only a mild surprise. NFL.com projected him as a fifth- or sixth-round pick and his slight frame (5foot-10, 183 pounds) and injury history were reasons he was pegged as a later-round selection. Last year, James’ season ended after five games because of the second broken collarbone of his career. Both injuries were to the same shoulder.
“Two broken collarbones and (teams are) just thinking, ‘Can he really hold up again?’ ” James said. “I think I can.”
Some of James’ numbers at the combine raised more questions about his ability to handle the rigors of the NFL. He was the second-lightest among the 44 wide receivers and he had the fewest reps (6) of 225 pounds on the bench press among the 34 wideouts who lifted.
Even some of his strengths could work against him at the next level. General manager John Lynch, who noted his “swagger,” said James is “fearless” and head coach Kyle Shanahan offered that he “plays physical.”
Like most seventh-round picks, James, who was drafted right after a long snapper (Mississippi State’s Hunter Bradley), didn’t think he should have been a seventh-round pick. Still, James understands the questions about his durability.
“I’m really surprised I went that late,” James said. “Even the (broadcasters) said they were surprised I went that late. At the same time, I understand that’s part of it. I got injured last year and I understood (that caused) a lot of red flags and teams didn’t want to take a chance.”
James could have a decent chance to stick on a team that has only four wideouts seemingly assured of making the 53-man roster: rookie secondround pick Dante Pettis, Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor.
James could find inspiration from Taylor, a 2017 fifth-round pick who had 43 receptions for 430 yards as a rookie. Like James, Taylor (5-8, 178) is undersized and had to answer questions about whether he’d be overmatched after amassing prolific numbers in Conference USA (with Louisiana Tech). In 2016, Taylor ranked second nationally — a spot ahead of James — in receptions (136) and led the nation with 1,803 yards ( James was fourth with 1,625).
Taylor and James played against each other twice in college, and it will be up to James to see if they can play together as teammates during the regular season.
It won’t be easy for him to make the team, but James’ background has steeled him. He grew up in a gang-infested, crime-ridden area of Sarasota, Fla., and now plans to survive in the NFL.
“I grew up in that environment,” James said, “and you’ve got to have attitude to get out there.”
Beadles released: The 49ers released guard Zane Beadles, 31, in a move that cleared about $3.5 million in salary-cap space.
Last year, Beadles started the opener before he was benched and replaced by Laken Tomlinson. Prior to being sidelined, Beadles made 97 straight starts, missing just seven snaps during that span. This offseason, Beadles was behind Tomlinson, Joshua Garnett and Jonathan Cooper on the depth chart at guard.
The 49ers released Beadles to give him a chance to sign with another team before training camp. They haven’t ruled out re-signing him if he remains unemployed and a need arises.