2012 NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers Should Target LaMichael James in Round 2

Oregon's LaMichael James is one of the most explosive players available in the 2012 NFL draft and would give the Green Bay Packers a much-needed boost in the running game.

James was the nation's second-leading rusher in his junior season and is projected by CBSSports.com to be picked in the second or third round.

The Packers received inconsistent production for James Starks and Ryan Grant last season, and if James is available to them with the 28th pick in the second round, the team must take him.

Starks and Grant—when healthy—give Green Bay solid between-the-tackles runners. Grant is neither exceedingly powerful nor athletic, but has great vision and can rack up yardage by making the right cut. Starks, at 6'2" and 218 pounds, is a load when he hits the hole and the first tackler rarely brings him down.

However, James gives the backfield an entirely new dimension: speed. His 4.45 second 40-yard dash at the combine tied him for second among running backs. He also ran the 100 meters for Oregon's track team in 10.62 seconds and anchored the 4x100 meter relay team.  

Starks has shown the ability to turn on the burners, but James would bring a different level of quickness and elusiveness to the Packers. His ESPN draft profile sums up his dynamic playmaking capabilities by saying: "Lightening quick feet. Can hit vertical cuts without losing momentum. Possesses exceptional stop-and-start capabilities to freeze defenders. Can transition to top-gear instantly and is extremely dangerous once hitting the open field."

The All-American proved in his collegiate career that he could use his abilities as running back or receiver.

James did not catch a ton of balls while with the Ducks, but showed he was more than capable in the passing game. He reeled in 17 passes in each of his three seasons in Eugene and averaged over 12 yards per catch in both is sophomore and junior years. In addition, SI.com reported that coaches at the combine were impressed with his pass-catching skills. 

His versatility makes him the type of the player that the Packers offense needs. James has the ability to be Green Bay's equivalent of Darren Sproles.

Sproles' historic 2011 campaign was overshadowed by Drew Brees' record-setting year. No NFL player has ever racked up more all-purpose yardage (2,696) than the 5'6" running back did last season.

Sproles' ability to make plays in the open field led to the unprecedented amount of yardage, but the importance of his skill set to the Saints' offense cannot be understated. Brees was the least-sacked quarterback in the league last year, and this was partially because he was able to use Sproles as his check-down option when under pressure.

His 86 receptions were the most by any running back, and most of these catches came on short, safe throws that helped Brees set a record for completion percentage in a season (71.2).

Brees would not have been as successful last year if Sproles had not joined the team as a free agent. If Aaron Rodgers has a similar player to target, he may be able to improve on his MVP-winning 2011 campaign.

The Packers drafted Alex Green out of Hawaii before last season because Grant and Starks are average pass-catchers, at best. However, Green sustained a serious knee injury in Week 7. He underwent ACL surgery and, sadly, may not be as explosive as he once was.

Green Bay also signed Brandon Saine as an undrafted free agent, and he impressed coaches as a receiver out of the backfield. However, the former Ohio State Buckeye was raw and inconsistent, and the team would be better off finding another option in this year's draft.

The Packers are clearly in the market for an elusive, pass-catching running back, and James fits the mold perfectly. Among players who match the description, the Oregon back will be one of the best available come April 26.

Teams have raised concerns over James' durability and character. At 5'9" and 185 pounds, scouts have been skeptical about his ability to handle the punishing nature of NFL football. However, the same criticisms cause Sproles to be overlooked, and teams across the league are now paying for their misjudgment.

The questions regarding James' character deal with domestic violence charges. The running back pleaded guilty prior to the 2010 season. He was the product of a troubled childhood and his father was killed before he was born, leaving him with an absentee mother. None of this excuses his actions, but he owned up to his mistake, served the punishment and continued to be an exemplary teammate.

James' coaches have always been complementary about his character. When asked to describe James' character, Chip Kelly said, "The best character you can have. Above reproach. He is in a situation where people are going to accuse him of things because of who he is. I have all the confidence in the world he is a great young man."

James' considerable talents outweigh the concerns raised about him, and he is undoubtedly a player worth drafting.

His skill set makes him an ideal fit for the Packers offense, and his presence could make the unit even better than it was last season.

James would flourish while taking hand-offs and catching passes from Rodgers, and nobody would benefit more from the relationship than Green Bay fans.