:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66706038/1219779827.jpg.0.jpg)
The LA Rams wasted no time replacing running back Todd Gurley in the 2020 NFL Draft, by selecting former Florida State Seminole Cam Akers with the 52nd-overall pick. Even with Sean McVay selecting Memphis’ Darrell Henderson in last year’s draft, Les Snead and McVay obviously felt like they needed to get a true three-down back for their offense.
Let’s run it, @thereal_cam3‼️
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 25, 2020
Welcome to Los Angeles, RB Cam Akers! pic.twitter.com/INhGsWCrrE
I know this pick is probably very underwhelming and not entirely what you guys wanted at this point in the draft, but let me be clear: Akers is going to be a good one. He was personally one of my favorite players in the entire draft, and if you take a look around Twitter and other social media platforms, you’ll see there’s a lot of love for the former Seminole across the country.
A year from now, we will all look back and wonder how the hell Cam Akers wasn’t the first RB taken and how he fell to the mid rounds. Book it. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/HRC3MtAKwk
— Adam Santana (@BoogieJonesMan) April 23, 2020
Cam Akers will be the biggest steal of the 2020 NFL Draft. Can’t wait to see what he can do with an offensive line.
— Gabriel Isasi V, Esq. (@GabrielIsasiV) April 24, 2020
I LOVE this pick. Sometimes when you watch prospects for the draft you come across guys who are so obviously good at this game that you don’t feel like it’s necessary to watch any more film after that point. It’s just so apparent. This is the type of player Akers is. The craziest thing about his talent shining at Florida State is that he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns running behind what could have been the worst offensive line in the country.
Congratulations to Cam Akers, who no longer has to run behind the Florida State offensive line.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) April 25, 2020
Another mind-blowing stat from Akers’ time in Tallahassee is that he was contacted at or behind the line of scrimmage on roughly 30% of his carries. That means he had someone in his face IMMEDIATELY on one out of every three times he got handed the ball. He consistently found success making something out of absolutely nothing.
When it comes to making it big in the NFL you MUST be able to maximize the yards you can get on every single rep. It helps keep the offense ahead of the chains and puts your team in favorable situations. The best teams in the NFL are the ones who find the most success on money downs. Within the Rams’ run-heavy attack, Akers will thrive will much clearer running lanes on a much more consistent basis.
Cam Akers: 3.9 of his 4.9 yards per carry occurred AFTER contact this season. pic.twitter.com/Lh2s44xIRZ
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 25, 2020
For you guys who play a lot of serious fantasy football, if you’re in any sort of a dynasty league, Akers should be at the top of your wish list. I know the backfield looks extremely muddled at this point, but there’s no doubt in my mind Akers finds his way to the top of the depth chart sooner rather than later.