Cam Akers is a Good Investment at the Cost

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA Today Sports

An Intriguing Option at a Modest Cost

Few NFL running backs have experienced such a volatile start to their careers as Cam Akers. Selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, Akers was viewed as the potential successor to Todd Gurley. However, struggles with blocking and grasping Sean McVay's offense resulted in a timeshare with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown. In 2021, Akers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, raising doubts about the trajectory of his career. Yet, he made a remarkably fast recovery from the tear. Expectations for Akers remained low in 2022 as the Rams failed to replicate their Super Bowl-winning form from 2021. The overall lack of success for the team overshadowed Akers' impressive late-season surge, making him an intriguing option on draft day.

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Rethinking the Achilles

Akers' Achilles injury initially led to bleak expectations for his future. Historically, there was little evidence of running backs successfully returning from such injuries. However, just as a torn ACL was once considered career-ending but is now manageable, advancements in surgical techniques and rehabilitation have changed the landscape. Akers demonstrated his resilience by performing as a workhorse during the final two months of the season. Moreover, other running backs like D'Onta Foreman have also shown positive outcomes after recovering from an Achilles tear.

The Profile Remains Compelling

At only 23 years old, Akers is younger than many realize, considering he is entering his fourth season. As a former second-round pick, he is playing for a modest salary in the final year of his rookie contract. Akers is healthy, in the early stages of his physical prime, and highly motivated to secure a second contract, whether with the Rams or another team.

From a Disastrous Start to a Powerhouse Finish

Akers' 2022 season can be divided into three distinct phases. Initially, he shared playing time with Darrell Henderson but struggled to make a significant impact. The media crafted a narrative suggesting that Akers had returned too quickly from his Achilles injury and lost his explosiveness. With an average of just 3.0 yards per carry in the first five weeks, Akers reportedly left the team, leading to speculation about a potential trade. After being inactive for two weeks, he reappeared on the roster without much explanation. Over the next month, Akers played sparingly, averaging only 8.3 touches per game and less than 30% of the snaps.

However, everything changed when Darrell Henderson suffered an injury in Week 11. Initially, Akers played second fiddle to rookie Kyren Williams in Week 12, with a 70/30 snap share. However, their roles reversed in Week 13, and Akers quickly showed his explosive potential.

Akers' Per-Game Production, 2022

Akers' 16-Game Pro Rata Pace, 2022

As you can see, he emerged as a fantasy football powerhouse in the latter part of the season, finishing as the fourth-ranked running back from Weeks 13 to 18.

Top Fantasy Running Backs, 2022 (Weeks 13-18, PPR Scoring)