of the New York Giants against the Cincinnati Bengals during an preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Former FSU standout making transition from RB to defense in hopes of extending NFL career

James Wilder Jr. thinks a move to the defensive side of the ball will help his career

James Wilder has decided that moving from running back to linebacker might be the only way to keep his NFL career going.

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The former Florida State star has bounced around the league playing on practice squads or serving as a reserve for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills since signing with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

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But three years later, the 6-2, 230 pound bruiser, who's the son of former Tampa Bay running back James Wilder, thinks his massive build might translate better on the defensive side of the ball.

It would be familiar territory for Wilder. As a high schooler in Tampa, Fla., he was once considered the nation's No. 1 athlete starring as both a running back and linebacker.

In three season with the Seminoles, Wilder rushed for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns.