With the 22nd pick (No. 240 overall) in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Middle Tennessee State wide receiver Richie James.
James was named first-team All-C-USA as a redshirt freshman after a 107-catch, 1,334-yard, eight-touchdown season. He also carried the football 13 times for 158 yards and a score. James topped those numbers in 2016 when he recorded 105 receptions for 1,625 yards with 12 touchdowns along with 38 carries for 339 yards and four more scores, earning first-team All-C-USA honors again.
James' junior season in 2017 was shortened to just five games due to a broken collarbone.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 5-foot-10 and 183-pound James had a 40-time of 4.48 seconds, a vertical jump of 35.5 inches, a broad jump of 122 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 6.87 seconds, had 6 reps in the bench press, a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.16 seconds, and a 60-yard shuttle time of 11.44 seconds. Other measurables for James include an arm length of 31 1/4 inches and hands that measure 9 1/4 inches.
NFL.com projected James to be a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares James to De'Anthony Thomas, wrote the following about James within his scouting report:
"Undersized slot option with good foot quickness and consistent play speed, but lacking in polish and strength. While James is more reliant upon his athleticism than his route acumen, he does have the suddenness to gain instant separation in tight quarters. James plays with good toughness but has to prove his 2017 injuries were a fluke. James lacks size and his focus as a pass-catcher is very average, but he does have talent that could be developed with more time."
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following the following about James within his scouting report:
"James is a consistent pass catcher who plays tough, fast football. He projects as a slot receiver at the next level, but his greatest contributions must come as a return specialist."
Measurables
Height: 5-10
Weight: 183 lbs.
Arm length: 31 1/4 inches
Hand length: 9 1/4 inches
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 4.48 seconds
Vertical: 35.5 inches
Broad jump: 122 inches
3-cone drill: 6.87 seconds
Bench press: 6 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.16 seconds
60-shuttle drill: 11.44 seconds
College Statistics
| Year | G | Rec | Yds | YPC | TD |
| 2014 | RS | - | - | - | - |
| 2015 | 13 | 107 | 1,334 | 12.5 | 8 |
| 2016 | 13 | 105 | 1,625 | 15.5 | 12 |
| 2017 | 5 | 31 | 290 | 9.4 | 3 |
| Totals | 31 | 243 | 3,249 | 13.4 | 23 |
