I am old enough to remember when Cam Akers was first on the outs in Los Angeles. Oh yeah, it was about one year ago. News leaked ten minutes prior to 1:00 p.m. kickoff just to terrorize fantasy managers. Not only would Akers not be playing in Week 2, he also could be on the trade block.
What This Means For Cam Akers
Akers has been a polarizing fantasy player, after returning from a preseason Achilles tendon tear in 2021. Concerns held by fantasy managers consist of Akers’ consistency of production; as well as, his opportunity on the Rams offense. Those concerns remain, as Akers is back on the trade block after being there nearly one year ago.
In 2022, some landing spots for Akers included: the Eagles, Bills, Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Panthers and Falcons. Consequently, the teams filled their RB depth chart via the draft and free agency.
Akers is in the final year of his rookie contract and will be a restricted free agent after the 2023 season. The most comparable running back trade involves Akers’ fellow 2020 draft class mate, D’Andre Swift. The Lions traded Swift and a 2023 7th-round pick to the Eagles for a 2023 7th-round pick and 2025 4th-round pick. The noteworthy difference between Swift and Akers is the former’s higher level of production.
Akers is a drop candidate in redraft, especially after his Week 1 showing. Dynasty is a slightly different story, as dynasty managers looking to acquire Akers would require patience.
Akers is not likely to return to his former glory, despite being a 1st-round dynasty rookie pick in 2020. But in dynasty fantasy football everyone has value, it just depends how cheaply he can be acquired.
What This Means For The Los Angeles Rams
The Rams opened the 2023 season with Akers generating an abysmal 1.3 yards per attempt on 22 rushes. However, Kyren Williams earned nearly twice as many snaps as Akers and was a more efficient rusher including 2 TDs. The RB depth is lacking outside of Akers and Williams.
Behind Akers and Williams on the Rams’ depth chart are Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman and Zach Evans. These RBs do not form a formidable committee. Williams has now strung together two top-10 weeks in fantasy and the Rams’ backfield is dependent upon his success.
The Rams are a hard-fought 1-1 after Week 2 losing by only one score to the high-powered 49ers. The emergence of rookie WR Puka Nacua and the bounceback of Matthew Stafford leaves for excitement in fantasy in 2023. With less competition, look for the Rams to utilize Kyren Williams heavily both on the ground and through the air.
Williams is likely already rostered in both Redraft and Dynasty. Proceed with caution when buying Williams in dynasty, as the RB position is volatile and the Rams’ backfield could look tremendously different this time next season.
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