5 reasons why LA Rams rookie RB Akers is ideal featured back
By Bret Stuter
Reason 1- Swiss army knife
With so many NFL teams going the way of running-back-by-committee, the LA Rams head coach Sean McVay wants no part of it. That eliminated many role-playing running backs from the LA Rams shopping list in the draft. Too many rushers had one-dimensional games as a run-only back. Others became mainly receiving options. But Florida State Cam Akers brings all running back skills to the Rams in just one player.
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McVay relies upon one do-it-all running back who can threaten defenses as a fast runner to daylight, as a power back who can gear down to get the tough yardage, who can pick up blitzes long enough to allow deep routes to open up, and who can become a dangerously effective receiver in the passing game. And when the LA Rams made their selection at pick 52 of the 2020 NFL Draft by naming Florida State’s running back Cam Akers, the team drafted all of those skill sets in one running back.
In our many mock drafts leading up to the big day, Cam Akers never fell to the Rams. In fact, he was either the first or second running back taken off the board. That pattern of “he won’t be there when we pick” turned our attention to other positions at 52, and other players. That same Chase-Edwards-will-not-be-there history removed many talented players from our radar in those mocks.
Akers is the perfect example of college stats of great talent surrounded by average players. His team found itself competing against some of the toughest in college, and his teammates were not among the best of their position. So Akers had to do much of his running on his own, but continuing to work hard each season, each game, and each play. He was the poster-child of that grinding it out football mentality. He remained grateful and humble, took the best of what his teammates could give him, and made up the rest on his own.
Cam Akers, the seldom lauded running back from Florida State has all of the physical tools to excel as an LA Rams runner. But perhaps his most attractive attribute is his maturity and football mindset. Whether or not you loved the pick, I’m willing to bet you’ll love the player after his first game. He’s the ideal running back to get the most yardage out of the Rams offensive line.