It has been quite the rollercoaster ride if you have had Cam Akers on your roster the past few seasons. From an injury-riddled 2021 campaign to a 2022 season that was all over the board, Akers has done it all.
But what is on the horizon for his 2023 campaign? Will we see the Akers that ended last year, or will an inefficient version of the FSU product resurface?
Why Akers?
What Went Wrong in 2022
It was the tale of two halves for Akers, as Weeks 1-10 were quite abysmal. His one touchdown and 64 touches across those weeks (having missed Weeks 6-8 due to injury/bye) was incredibly disappointing for a backfield that had no real threat to him based on talent.
But to end the year, Akers was finally installed back into the game plan, which showed. From Week 11 on, he recorded 12+ touches in all but one game and even saw an uptick in his usage in the passing game, too.
While the Los Angeles Rams were very much done with last season after injuries to Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, they relied heavily on Akers to take them to the finish line. That would explain why he recorded 100-yard rushing days in each of the final three games of the year.
His best game of the season was a Christmas Day contest against the Denver Broncos, where he took 25 total touches (23 carries) for 147 yards and three rushing TDs. This game helped showcase his full skillset, something we can all hope he replicates this year.
2023 Season Changes
It seems the Rams are back to wanting to compete, although their defense likely won’t let them. It will be interesting to see how much the offense chooses to run the ball. Sean McVay has been complimentary of Akers this offseason. Hopefully, focusing on his diet and conditioning has shown the coaching staff that he is ready again for that bellcow role.
Rookie Zach Evans was the only ‘competition’ brought in this offseason, and he has yet to become a real threat. This puts Akers in a great position, as Evans, Ronnie Rivers, and Kyren Williams are all just depth.
How To Capitalize
Startup Rankings
Akers is a screaming value based on the current DynastyNerds ADP, as he is currently listed as our RB39. Akers will eventually be bumped up in our rankings – so take advantage of his cheap price now.
The 5th best fantasy RB in the final six games last year… Cam Akers.
— Rotoworld by NBC Sports (@rotoworld) August 22, 2023
🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/3qUpbVQJEs
Trade Market
It’s tough to gauge Akers’ worth, which is evident by the deals in our Trade Browser.
George Pickens and a 2023 2nd
2023 2nd & 3rd
Skyy Moore and a 2024 2nd
These are a few deals that have gone down over the offseason involving our Rams running back. Check-in with the Akers team in your league to see what it would take to move him.
Beyond 2023
Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, Akers is playing for a lot this season. It’s a bad market for an RB, so that he wouldn’t command much in free agency; great news for LAR.
There is no competition for Akers in the current backfield, making him a buy value for this season. While his future is a bit murky, as long as he starts off this season strong, it likely will become pretty evident. Even if he doesn’t stick with the Rams, he has the talent to latch on elsewhere.
Make sure you subscribe to the #NerdHerd, where you get exclusive content, dynasty/rookie/devy rankings, a buy/sell tool, and a bonus podcast. Dynasty Nerds also recently launched the #DynastyGM tool, a complete game-changer in the fantasy industry. Click here for a free trial. We truly are your one-stop shop for all your fantasy football needs!
