Welcome back to Parsons’ Profiles, the NFL Draft countdown series where I examine the professional future of one Duck per day until the 2025 NFL Draft begins on April 24. Yesterday, I broke down defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell. Today, we’ll consider the future for junior running back Jordan James.
Prior to his dominance in Eugene, James led Murfreesboro, Tennessee’s, Oakland High School to back-to-back undefeated seasons as a junior and senior, both of which resulted in 6A D-1 state titles. Consequently, James was ranked the 2021 class’ No. 13 running back and No. 164 overall player by 247Sports.
James received 18 collegiate offers and originally committed to the University of Georgia in March 2021. However, James chose not to sign a letter of intent during Dec. 2021’s Early Signing Period.
Instead, James took two official visits with the Ducks in January. Then, on National Signing Day in early February, James flipped his commitment from Georgia to Oregon.
“I was just looking for a better fit, and Oregon just happened to be that better fit,” James said to Cecil Joyce of Murfreesboro Daily News Journal following the change.
James entered Eugene as a depth piece behind Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington. However, Oregon would indeed prove to be a good fit.
As a true freshman in 2022, James took 46 carries for 186 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Whittington took a medical redshirt in 2023, clearing James’ way for additional reps behind Irving.
James capitalized, tallying 107 carries, 759 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. His stellar Pro Football Focus (PFF) rushing grade of 94.8 led all running backs in 2023 and his overall offense grade of 92.0 ranked eighth-best.
That offseason, Irving left James and the Ducks for the NFL Draft. Despite recording 2950 total yards and 21 touchdowns across two years in Eugene, Irving was labeled a future backup by many analysts, mainly for his 5’9, 192-pound frame and a perceived lack of running-lane discipline.
Irving was eventually selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite entering as a depth piece behind established back Rachaad White, Irving soon found himself handling the majority of Tampa Bay’s carries. Irving’s 1,100-yard, eight-touchdown rookie rushing campaign seems to have earned him a starting role with the Buccaneers for years to come.
While Irving was climbing the ladder in Tampa Bay, James was enjoying a successful junior season as a Duck. In 2024, James took 233 carries for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns, ultimately earning second-team All-Big-Ten honors.
Though his PFF grades dipped slightly in 2024 (90.9 for rushing and 86.2 for overall offense), James’ impact was felt all season long. James’ thudding runs helped Oregon achieve a third down conversion rate of 48.78%, tied for the nation’s fifth-best mark.
Like Irving, James was a highly productive back during his time with the Ducks. However, some of the same analyst concerns which lowered Irving’s draft stock seem to be present with James.
In fact, the two backs are similar enough to warrant the same pro comparison from the NFL’s Lance Zierlein, who noted both possess similarities to Houston’s Dameon Pierce. Zierlein predicted Irving to be a fifth-round pick but favors James as a fourth-round pick.
However, not all analysts agree. PFF — which ranked Irving last year’s 79th-best player and fifth-best back — considers James to be this year’s 247th-best player and only its 26th-best back.
James isn’t helped by this year’s running back class, which is one of the deepest in history. Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty will certainly be a first-round pick, but we could see plenty of other talented backs taken early.
Thankfully, despite this year’s flooded RB market and the concerns held by some analysts, James has received his share of attention.
“Jordan James is the most underrated running back in this class,” analyst Todd McShay said on The McShay Show.
“My God, I love his run style,” McShay said. “He’s quick, he’s got vision, he makes sharp cuts, (and) he’s tough to bring down.”
McShay isn’t the only one paying attention. James is scheduled for a Top-30 visit with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, and the Indianapolis Colts have also expressed their interest. Both teams would be good fits for James, who could realistically follow Irving’s path to increased reps on either squad.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee’s leading rusher, is entering the last guaranteed year of his contract, and rotational piece Tyjae Spears is more of a pass-catcher than a power threat. James’ propensity to explode through tacklers could earn him additional goal-line or fourth down usage as a Titan.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor is also entering his last guaranteed contract year, and the Colts lack a power option behind the former All-Pro. James could feasibly start as Indy’s RB2, with plenty of time for further promotion.
There are plenty of similarly open running back rooms across the NFL, so James will almost certainly earn a roster spot somewhere. However, this year’s historically deep running back class leaves uncertainty as to when James’ name will be called.
For that reason, I’m projecting James as a Day 3 pick. I’d probably guess he goes in the fifth round. Drafting him much earlier could be seen as a reach given the other backs eligible for selection. However, if a team really likes what they see in James, I could see him going as soon as the fourth round.
We’ll have to wait and see if James can mirror the professional production of Irving. My advice: Don’t count James out. Irving proved that for a capable back like James, professional success may be right around the corner.
Tomorrow’s edition of Parsons’ Profiles will focus on a four-year Duck who’s already raised his stock since playing his last game for Oregon.
