Craig James was drafted No. 187 overall by the New England Patriots in the 1983 NFL Draft out of SMU. 52 regular-season games · 3 seasons as a starter · 22 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #187
- Round
- 7
- Draft class
- 1983
- NFL games
- 52
- Years as starter
- 3
- Career AV
- 2211th at SMU
- Pro Bowls
- 1
The pick
How Craig James came off the board in 1983.
- Position
- Running back RB
- College
-
SMU
ACC at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
52 regular-season games · 3 seasons as a starter · 22 career approximate value
- Games played
- 52
- Seasons as a starter
- 3
- Career approximate value
- 2211th among SMU picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 22100% of career value
- Final season
- 19885 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× Pro Bowl
Around pick 187
Who came off the board on either side of Craig James.
Oklahoma
Marshall · 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
Louisiana Tech
Arizona
SMU in the 1983 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other RB picks from SMU
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Craig James in the 1983 NFL Draft
Craig James is a Running back out of SMU selected No. 187 overall by the New England Patriots in the 1983 NFL Draft. 52 regular-season games · 3 seasons as a starter · 22 career approximate value SMU has produced 55 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Craig James drafted?
Craig James was selected No. 187 overall by the New England Patriots in the 1983 NFL Draft (Rd 7). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1983/craig-james.
What college did Craig James play for?
Craig James played college football at SMU in the ACC. See every SMU draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/smu-mustangs.
How did Craig James's NFL career turn out?
52 regular-season games · 3 seasons as a starter · 22 career approximate value Accolades: 1× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1983/craig-james.