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Bucs draft Miami's James; trade former Taylor County RB Blount to Pats

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have drafted Miami running back Mike James in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

 

The team moved up seven spots in the draft order to take the 5-foot-11, 222-pounder who rushed for 1,386 yards and 17 touchdowns during his college career.

 

In addition to swapping spots with Minnesota in the sixth round, the Bucs gave up a seventh-round pick they had just obtained from a trade that sent reserve running back LeGarrette Blount to the Patriots.

 

The trade also brought Tampa Bay the rights to sprinter Jeff Demps, who was undrafted in 2012 after telling teams he wanted to focus on his track career.

 

Demps signed with the Patriots as a free agent last summer, but has not played in the NFL.