Should LaMichael James Make The Switch to Wide Receiver Like De'Anthony Thomas? [VIDEO]

LaMichael James was one of the best running backs in the game back in college. He excelled throughout his career at Oregon rushing for a national high 1682 yards in 2010, finished third in Heisman voting that year, and won the Doak Walker award. When his college days were done following the 2011 season he had over 5000 yards to his name.

The San Francisco 49ers liked him enough to make him a second round pick, but after being buried on the depth chart he asked for and was granted his release. The Miami Dolphins picked him, but now he is fighting for his life with the team. Will he make it?



He has yet to see much of the field during his career (44 carries for 193 touchdowns), and depending on how the Dolphins try to use him he may not get another shot.

James is a small guy (5'9" and 200 pounds). He is not going to be worth much between the tackles at all. He is not the kind of guy that is going to be able to break through the mass of human flesh in the trenches.

In college Chip Kelly utilized James' speed to make him one of the most dangerous backs in the nation, and his speed in a wide open offense worked wonders. If James is going to be worth anything in the NFL whatever team he is on is going to half to do the same.

To do so they could do one of two things: (1) use him in certain situations like passing downs where he can catch the ball out in space where he is at his best or (2) he needs to do like De'Anthony Thomas and switch to wide receiver.

Thomas is also a small guy and so far it sounds like he is doing well in Kansas City as a receiver. James could do the same. In pass patterns he is going to be out in space where he can utilize his speed and agility to the best of his abilities.

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