49ers surprise again, choose Oregon running back James

Associated Press

santa clara, calif.

Jim Harbaugh regularly goes against the grain, never concerned if he’s popular or trendy in the process.

And the reigning NFL coach of the year has already pulled off a pair of stunning picks in the NFL draft that few — if any — saw coming.

A day after defending NFC West champion San Francisco selected Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins at No. 30 in the NFL draft’s first round, the 49ers took Oregon running back LaMichael James 61st overall in the second to join an already jammed backfield.

Good thing the creative Harbaugh loves competition all over the field. He’s going to get it, all right.

Harbaugh suddenly will have some big decisions to make come training camp considering he must decide how to divvy up the touches between James, three-time Pro Bowler Frank Gore, newly signed Brandon Jacobs and reliable second-year player Kendall Hunter.

“Welcome to the squad,” tweeted running back Anthony Dixon, who might wind up an odd man out.

San Francisco did not pick in the third round but has two picks in the fourth round, including the second (No. 97 overall).

James is confident he can contribute in the return game and joked perhaps even block a field goal.

“I haven’t blocked any yet, but I will. Coming soon, I’m going to block some,” he said from his home in Texas. “I know who Kendall Hunter is. He’s from East Texas too, so I know exactly who he is. But I like Brandon Jacobs. He’s a good running back and so is Frank Gore. I look up to him. I think he’s an awesome running back. I think he’s one of the best running backs in the league. So, if I have to sit behind him and learn, it’s just a good opportunity for me to get better.”