Can LA Rams RB Cam Akers bounce back in 2022?

2022 Stat projections

At the end of the 2020 season, Akers looked like he was going to be among the top running backs in the league for the 2021 season. But that injury derailed everything. Of course, injuries are part of the game, but Akers showed signs of a clear recovery toward the end of the playoffs. A miraculous six-month recovery to be exact, which is practically unheard of before today.

Currently, I have Akers ranked to finish as the 18th-best among starting running backs going into the 2022 season. Many of Akers’s skillsets have not gotten the attention that he deserves because of injuries. Still, you can expect to see many teams in Fantasy Football leagues sleep on the third-year player. Here are how I envision Akers 2022 stat projections going into the 2022 season.

• 275 carries for 1,200 yards with 10 touchdowns (average 4.36 yards/rush)
• 60 receptions for 400 yards with 2 touchdowns (77 targets with a .78 catch rate)
• Akers to receive 65.5 percent of the carries (assuming 420 carries in 2022)

Where does Akers rank amongst the top 20 active running backs?

Since Akers can’t stay healthy, his ranking is not the highest, but if he can bounce back this year look for him to climb the ladder. I think he can do exactly that. So where will he fall in 2022? Here are how I see the NFL shake out by season’s end (assuming everyone remains healthy)

1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
2. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
3. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
4. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
6. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
7. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
8. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
9. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
10. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
11. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
12. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
13. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
14. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
15. Antonio Gibson, Washington Generals
16. D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
17. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
18. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
19. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
20.  Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

So what gives me confidence in Cam Akers to bounce back in 2022? For starters, the LA Rams coaching staff are very confident in it, and they are at ground zero. I’ve learned to trust the coaches in the absence of any other hard evidence. But look at the way that the offensive line will likely be configured this year?

Both Joseph Noteboom as the projected starting left tackle and Coleman Shelton as the projected starting right guard are excellent run blockers. Both are mobile and can get downfield to block linebackers and defensive backs on running plays. That can make a huge difference, as the Rams runs were stuffed against the Bengals because offensive linemen failed to block the linebackers.

Too optimistic? Don’t count the LA Rams out. Head coach Sean McVay is extremely competitive. 25th ranking for any aspect of the team is unacceptable. Look for a much better plan to advance the football on the ground this year, and the result will be a great season for RB Cam Akers.