Three reasons why so many love LA Rams RB Cam Akers in 2021 FF?

Reason I

For starter, let’s talk endurance. Rams running back Cam Akers simply gets stronger through the course of an NFL season. His 2020 rookie season was a tale of two rushers. In the first half of the season, his first six games, Akers couldn’t find the end zone, and pretty much was unable to make much of a statement on the football field.  He managed one long 46 yard burst against the Washington Football Team that caused excitement. But take that one rush out, and he struggled to rush for more than 3.0-yards-per-carry.

Los Angeles Rams

The tide turned when he faced the stingy division rival San Francisco 49ers in late November. In that game he scored for the first time, and gashed their defense for 84 yards on just nine carries. Suddenly, Akers began to get the ball at a level where he would begin to make a difference. He carried the ball 132 of his 191 carries over the course of the last six games (including two playoff games).

Even more impressive, Akers suffered a high ankle sprain in a loss to the New York Jets. While he missed the following week’s contest against the Seattle Seahawks, he showed up to start the following week against the Arizona Cardinals. Although he was held in check rushing, his four catches piled up 52 yards and helped pave the road for the Rams to make the playoffs.

When the Rams got to the playoffs, there was plenty of concern. Backup quarterback John Wolford struggled in a win over the Arizona Cardinals, starter Jared Goff had a surgically repaired throwing hand, and the Rams were traveling to a suddenly stingy Seattle Seahawks. Entering the game, everyone knew that the LA Rams would run the ball. Yet, nobody could contain rookie Cam Akers, who pounded the rock 28 times for 131 yards and a touchdown. If anyone was not convinced, Akers put up an exclamation point the following week with 18 rushes for 90 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. Three weeks after a high ankle sprain. Amazing.