Just How Good is RB Cam Akers? - An easy to skim outline of analysis from around the industry.
Introduction:
A couple of months ago I started a fantasy football newsletter in order to share the best headlines and articles I find from around the industry in an easy to skim list.
With that same idea in mind, I’ve decided to trial a semi-regular series of player rundowns that outline some of the best work I come across for each player in an organized, easy to skim format. Each writer usually has a few gems/salient points that they uncover in their work and I think this helps us get a much richer profile of each player in comparison to reading analysis from just one writer.
It should go without saying that, just like with the newsletter, I’m not the writer here. All the credit goes to the writers whose work will be linked to directly.
So without further ado, here’s our first subject:
Rookie RB Cam Akers
Background:
Cam Akers played three years at Florida State. College stats.
As you’ve heard over and over, Akers player behind a really poor offensive line (graded 129 out of 130 by PFF). I mean, really, really poor:
A dual threat high school QB from Jackson, Mississippi, Akers was one of the top recruits in the country. He was the top RB recruit according to ESPN and ranked the 2nd or 3rd best overall recruit by multiple recruiting sources.
Selected #52 overall in the 2nd round by the Los Angeles Rams.
Athletic Profile:
Height: 5’10", Weight: 217 lbs, 89th percentile dominator rating, 89th percentile speed score, 71st percentile BMI.
Combine highlights. Akers wowed with his footwork in the Duce Staley drill.
Analysis (Positives):
Runs with ideal body lean and balance.
Patient runner. Lets blocks develop. Able to dance through hole as it opens.
His feet and agility are what make Akers a special talent. He can get in and out of areas with the best of them. And believe me, he’s had to find space behind the FSU O line.
I think he has the potential to be a much better pass receiver in the NFL than he was in college.
What I like about Akers, I think he has a great feel for defensive fronts before the snap and that he’s advanced at knowing who is an unblocked player. I also thought he had a great feel once the play started for the fluidity of gaps. - Greg Cosell
Analysis (Negatives):
Many of the negatives about Akers are simply products of technique, concentration, effort, and mental awareness. In theory, correctable.
Absorbed a lot of hits at Florida State; must learn to make more defenders miss and when to fight for extra yards vs. when to know he's tackled.
Many don’t love Akers’ situation and believe the Rams’ backfield is more crowded than we think. (video)
Hangs out "come get me sign" the way he carries the ball. Swings it away from body, doesn't cover it up in traffic, doesn't switch it to proper hand in open field.
Model Rankings:
2nd rookie RB in Ryan Keeney’s model.
4th rookie RB in JetPack Galileo’s model.
2nd rookie RB in Blake Hampton’s model.
3rd rookie RB in David Zach’s model.
Player Comps:
Joe Mixon & Spencer Ware - Matt Miller
Kareem Hunt - Walter Football
Joseph Addai - Ray Garvin
Le’Veon Bell & Duke Johnson - FF Today
Chris Carson - AngeloFF
Marshawn Lynch - Action Network
Film Review:
Soundbites:
Rams coach Sean McVay: "we feel we've got three really good backs."
Akers is a consensus Day 2 pick at the 2020 NFL Draft, but according to NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, the talented tailback could have been selected the night before, had the circumstances around him been better in Tallahassee.
Rams Scout: “I think he can do it all. He can run inside, he can run outside, he can catch the ball well, he’s elusive. I think he’s the total package as a back and I wouldn’t be surprised if we look back a few years from now and say he’s more productive than Swift. He just does everything – he does everything well.”
Conclusions:
Akers has legitimate All-Pro caliber upside in the right situation. - AngeloFF
To me, Akers is a middle round RB, he's not a 1st or 2nd round back. - SBNation
I expect him to crush. Absolutely crush. - Matthew Freedman
It's almost impossible to get a feel for Akers off tape. He wasn't very productive in 2018, but he ran for more than 1,100 yards behind a dismal offensive line this past season. Akers has the physical tools to dominate, but the nuances of the position are difficult to scout based on his last two years at FSU. - Matt Miller
Other Good Stuff:
The Dynasty Blueprint podcast has had two great episodes covering Akers. The first was one of their rookie profile episodes, and the second was with Graham Barfield where he goes into detail on Akers as well.
Article: Cam Akers’ dynasty value following the 2020 NFL Draft.
Article: Rams Fantasy Running Back Battle: Cam Akers vs. Darrell Henderson.
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