The NFL offseason is coming and while the trade market in the league is usually quiet in the spring, after Trent Richardson was moved to the Colts it got many thinking about other deals involving running backs and one that could fit this year is for 49ers back LaMichael James, especially if last year's draft pick Marcus Lattimore is healthy for 2014 and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens and Steelers could be options.
ESPN.com writer Bill Williamson brought up the idea earlier in the season and mentioned it again this past week about James and it's something that the 49ers could consider, especially if they think Lattimore can be a contributor in 2014. Williamson wrote that the Philadelphia Eagles could be a logical option, mostly because his old coach Chip Kelly has taken over there and after the way the offense performed last season it looks like he would fit in quite well. The Eagles had the top ranked rushing offense in the league and adding a player like James behind LeSean McCoy likely would cost only a late pick and could be a great addition to the offense. UPDATE: The Eagles gave traded for Darren Sproles, so this is unlikely.
James ended up with 12 carries for 59 yards on the season and he also got some touches in the playoffs after missing the first three games of the season with a knee injury. James spoke out with some frustration earlier in the season and while that may have subsided, he still could fit the bill for a deal. The Eagles, Dolphins and Ravens all could use an addition to their running back stables and heading into the draft that could be an option for the Niners.
The 49ers under Jim Harbaugh have not been afraid to make deals like they did with AJ Jenkins and Jon Baldwin and over the past couple years the team has been great at stockpiling draft picks. According to ESPN.com, the team is likely to have over 10 draft picks in the upcoming draft in May and two areas of need could be at wide receiver and at cornerback and adding more picks to that stockpile could enable the team to move up in more than one round.
Williamson writes on ESPN.com that the 49ers could be willing to trade up in the draft due to all those picks and one area that they could target is wide receiver, as the pool is especially deep this season. The team could look to trade up with a team like the NY Giants at number 12 if they are willing to move down, as players like Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Marqise Lee could be available.