What might LA Rams’ RB Cam Akers ceiling be in 2021?

Now that LA Rams‘ RB Cam Akers is firmly ensconced as the team’s lead back, he is projected to be the team’s 2021  featured back. No, that’s not the word on the street, that’s supported by the weighty endorsement of his head coach Sean McVay to fulfill that role this upcoming season. So let’s get right to it, is it fair to ask what his ceiling might be?

He’s also playing on a consistent playoff-contending team behind a good run-blocking offensive line, to boot. So he’s got that going for him.

It seems fair to think Akers will most likely be used in a similar fashion to the way former Rams running back Todd Gurley was used back in 2017, or how the Baltimore Ravens used Mark Ingram in 2019 as the lone back, more times than not. Not just as a ground-and-pound, but as a dangerous target in the passing game as well.

Can you say workhorse?

And that’s a good thing, high praise intended. Because workhorses are reliable, dependable, durable beasts. A workhorse back is the kind of runner who only seems to get better as the game wears on, and the grass stains on their uniforms pile up.

They don’t really get going until they are slathered up, just like a workhorse.

The more touches, the better the flow.

Second half sensation

It was Akers who put together a solid second half of the season last year, coming on strong down the home stretch, which allowed him to wrest control of the backfield.  His 625 rushing yards, were the sixth-most among NFL rookies. That strong performance convinced head coach McVay that Akers was his go-to guy to pound the rock then, and going forward now.

And when McVay’s game plan called for a heavy dose of ground-and-pound against a New England Patriots defense weakened by injuries, Akers responded with 194 total yards, a breakout game for him personally, but also a critical win enabling the Rams’ stretch run to the playoffs. It was a breakthrough victory for McVay and the Rams. A benchmark that proved that McVay can coach with the best of the NFL.

He followed that up by delivering 176 all-purpose yards and scoring a TD when the games mattered the most, in the team’s 30-20 wild-card playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Round two

He answered the bell just as a good workhorse does.

And Akers plays for a Rams squad that’s in the top tier of teams that run the ball. The team ranked seventh in rushing attempts per game last year, averaging just a smidgeon over 29 attempts per game. (The Baltimore Ravens, unsurprisingly, were first in that category, averaging just a tad under 35 attempts per game.) NFL Rushing Attempts 2020

Of course, the same Coach McVay talked about changing the format of the Rams offense this year, changing from a long-drive time of possession style offense to one of the quick-strike capabilities. But that will only serve to help Akers, as the defense will focus more on defending the pass. That means fewer bodies in the box and more room for Akers to run.

Is it so very unrealistic to think Akers could put up numbers this upcoming season that we’re in the ballpark of 1,500 total yards (rushing and passing) and 15 TDs?

That would be a very nice ceiling, indeed.