Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that GM Les Snead is currently engaged in talks to trade running back Cam Akers.
Los Angeles’ RB1 to open the season, Akers was a healthy inactive against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The former Florida State star sent out a social media post after that decision was made. For Akers and the Rams, it’s the continuation of a split we’ve seen for the past calendar year.
The decision to keep Akers inactive on Sunday came after he put up a mere 29 yards on 22 rush attempts in a Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Second-year back Kyren Williams got the start in his stead, going for 100 total yards on 20 touches in a 30-23 loss to San Francisco.
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As for the 24-year-old Akers, he simply has not been the same player since suffering a torn Achilles during an offseason workout ahead of the 2021 campaign. The former second-round pick was solid as a rookie in 2020, tallying 748 total yards and three touchdowns at a clip of 4.8 yards per touch.
- Cam Akers stats: 360 attempts, 1,443 rushing yards, 27 receptions, 250 receiving yards, 1,693 total yards, 11 TD
In the three-plus seasons since his rookie campaign, Akers has gained 818 rushing yards. He did lead the Rams in rushing last season with 786 while scoring seven touchdowns despite being in and out of McVay’s doghouse.
There will be a market for Akers’ services given his past success and the injuries we’ve seen surround running backs during the early part of the 2023 season. Here’s a look at four ideal landing spots for the young back.
Baltimore Ravens land Cam Akers
The Ravens lost J.K. Dobbins to a torn Achilles back in Week 1. It was yet another major injury blow for Baltimore at the running back position. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill responded this past Sunday in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, combining for 103 rushing yards and a touchdown.
However, the Ravens need to find more depth at this position. Akers would come cheap from both a compensation and salary standpoint.
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New York Giants find complement to Saquon Barkley
Star running back Saquon Barkley is out for at least the next three weeks after suffering a sprained ankle during Sunday’s comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. With him sidelined, the Giants are relegated to going with Matt Breida at RB1. The veteran has put up just 359 rushing yards since the start of the 2021 season.
At the very least, adding Cam Akers to the mix would provide depth in the backfield. Should Barkley’s injury issues continue, the Giants would then have a backup option.
Indianapolis Colts add insurance at running back
The NFL rushing leader back in 2021, Jonathan Taylor remains sidelined due to an ankle injury. At this point, there is no telling whether he’ll ever play for the Colts again. Taylor had requested a trade late in the offseason. Indianapolis gave him permission to seek out potential partners. But nothing came to fruition on that end.
Taylor will be sidelined at least the next two games. After that point, we fully believe the Colts to move on from him ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline. Through two games, Colts backs have combined for 113 yards on 34 attempts. They boast one of the worst rushing attacks in the game. Akers would help young quarterback Anthony Richardson in this regard.
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Minnesota Vikings pull off big trade
The Vikings’ rush offense ranks dead last in the NFL through two weeks. Replacing Dalvin Cook as RB1, Alexander Mattison has been a complete and utter disaster (62 rushing yards, 3.3 average). Ty Chandler (zero yards on four attempts) has done nothing.
Sure Kirk Cousins is playing good football. But the Vikings find themselves at 0-2 on the season. If they want to turn this thing around, adding an upgrade at running back must be in the cards. Perhaps, a change of scenery does Akers will here.