The Los Angeles Rams have reportedly made calls shopping around running back Cam Akers. He was inactive in Week 2 after being the starting RB in Week 1, and now it seems he’ll be on the move for one reason or another. Here are five trade destinations for Akers.
Green Bay Packers
This one seems far-fetched at first, but considering the Packers reportedly called the Colts about a potential trade for Jonathan Taylor before the season began, they may not be entirely convinced by their current running back depth.
Aaron Jones was excellent in Week 1, but suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 2. When A.J. Dillon got the starting nod in his absence, and disappointed. He had 15 carries for 55 yards and no touchdowns. He also had just one catch.
If Taylor is, in fact, going to be too expensive from a draft pick perspective to pry away from the Colts, Akers could be an answer for the Packers. He’s a veteran with winning experience that could fill in heavily for Dillon until the weather gets cold; that’s when Dillon is most effective.
Kansas City Chiefs
Isaiah Pacheco was a fun wrinkle to the Chiefs’ offense last season when no one knew what he could do or how Kansas City would even use him. But in 2023, he’s failed to post 100 yards total rushing through two weeks– on 20 attempts. He hasn’t been all that effective in the passing game either, racking up just 31 yards on five catches.
The Chiefs are in the era where they need to constantly be on the lookout for veterans with winning experience that could help depth. New England employed this strategy for years during this dynasty. Akers seems like the exact kind of pickup they would make to add that little extra danger for defenses.
Seeing as their offense has been pretty stagnant, and Clyde-Edwards Helaire has continued to underwhelm, grabbing Akers for as cheap as possible is a viable option for a team that needs another layer.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns just lost maybe the most important players in their entire locker room to a terrible-looking injury. It was apparent to every person watching that Nick Chubb’s season would be over the moment they saw it. ESPN even refused to air the play again after it happened.
Jerome Ford filled in incredibly well, rushing 16 times for over 100 yards. This could’ve been due to adrenaline and willpower to run for Chubb, but he’s making a case to be a lead back already. But that doesn’t meant the Browns wouldn’t like some extra security.
This one is pretty self explanatory. Akers will get some run here (literally), and has a chance to become the lead back if Ford loses a step.
Cincinnati Bengals
Akers was tied for 10th in PFF’s running back pass-blocking ratings ahead of the 2023-2024 season. That’s probably surprising to many, but regardless, it’s an underrated part of his game. Now, it’s entirely possible that Akers is only being traded because he’s quietly upset that he’s not getting more running work in the Rams’ offense, but a strength is a strength.
Enter the Cincinnati Bengals, who still cannot seem to get the offensive line to protect their newly minted highest paid quarterback in the history of the NFL. He’s under duress constantly, even though Cincy pours so much money into the offensive line.
Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans backup Joe Mixon, who is still productive even after taking a paycut. But that running back room could maybe use another name, and a little bit more juice. Williams and Evans haven’t been seen quite enough this year to determine them unserviceable, but a swing for Akers (a known commodity) could give the offense the jolt that it clearly needs right now. It could also maybe help keep Burrow upright.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White is the lead running back in Tampa right now, and is off to a slow, but not horrible, start. Chase Edmonds is being evaluated for a knee injury. Sean Tucker and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are not really contributing much so far.
Even so, the Buccaneers are 2-0 with a real chance to take a shaky division. They’re playing better than expected under Baker Mayfield, and have the opportunity to surprise everyone by buying low on a player (much like Mayfield), that another team seems to be done with. That could be the identity of a new, scrappy Post-Brady Bucs. It’s a bit of a strange idea, but not outside the realm of possibility.
Stay tuned for more breaking NFL content, including offseason moves, contract updates and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of NFL.com
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/sports/5-trade-destinations-for-cam-akers/2023/09/19/
