Cam Akers 2022 Outlook

[timexsocialclub]

So many warning signs here. I'm not sure what his ADP is but I'm not sure how anyone feels comfortable investing what I imagine it takes to land him. 

As others have mentioned, I'll gladly take DHJr for next to nothing. 

[vercrazy]

52 minutes ago, vthokie3 said:

Can't see McVay pivoting completely from a guy he gave such a huge playoff workload 

13 carries for 21 yards (1.62 YPC) in the SB isn't exactly inspiring. 

67 carries for 172 yards (2.57 YPC) in the whole playoffs was hardly better either. 

Edited August 30, 2022 by vercrazy

[timexsocialclub]

55 minutes ago, vercrazy said:

13 carries for 21 yards (1.62 YPC) in the SB isn't exactly inspiring. 

67 carries for 172 yards (2.57 YPC) in the whole playoffs was hardly better either. 

There is sufficient evidence there to be very concerning.

[vthokie3]

https://twitter.com/sarahbarshop/status/1565812226291691520?s=20&t=yNLAVJ2UEnPC4NaBxVyl4w

[PRoSPx]

On 8/29/2022 at 9:06 PM, timexsocialclub said:

So many warning signs here. I'm not sure what his ADP is but I'm not sure how anyone feels comfortable investing what I imagine it takes to land him. 

As others have mentioned, I'll gladly take DHJr for next to nothing. 

 

My exact thoughts.  Why spend the higher pick on Cam Akers who I honestly feel like is the much riskier player.

[Newtown]

2 minutes ago, PRoSPx said:

 

My exact thoughts.  Why spend the higher pick on Cam Akers who I honestly feel like is the much riskier player.

McVay has shown that he's a bell cow kind of coach. He usually feeds his guy the ball even when returning from injury and his guy is Akers. If you can stand the risk, the upside for a RB1 in a McVay offense is through the roof. If you want lower risk with a likely lower ceiling, bet low on DHJ.

I bet on Akers, but I think I got incredible value for him (6.7 in a 12 team 0.5 ppr money league). For me, it was a risk I was willing to take. I would probably pivot in rounds 5 or higher.

[CodenameDutchess]

On 8/29/2022 at 9:06 PM, timexsocialclub said:

So many warning signs here. I'm not sure what his ADP is but I'm not sure how anyone feels comfortable investing what I imagine it takes to land him. 

As others have mentioned, I'll gladly take DHJr for next to nothing. 

Is this the same DHJ that got beat out by Sony last year? Was he hurt too? Could have sworn he rode the pine behind Sony.

[timexsocialclub]

47 minutes ago, CodenameDutchess said:

Is this the same DHJ that got beat out by Sony last year? Was he hurt too? Could have sworn he rode the pine behind Sony.

Yes, him. Yes he got hurt. I think characterizing his role last year as behind Sony is a  complete misrepresentation.

[Pastor3]

Just now, timexsocialclub said:

Yes, him. Yes he got hurt. I think characterizing his role last year as behind Sony is a  complete misrepresentation.

especially considering that in the biggest tackle foosball extravaganza known to mankind, the Stupor Bowl, the Rams totally eschewed a healthy Sony ... they opted to give 19 touches to a gimp (Achers) fresh off "recovery" from the death knell that is the dreaded achilles, and who was averaging a robust 2.3 ypc thru the playoff totes he had up to that pernt. 

further, ol' Hendu was activated off IR the Friday (2 days!) prior to the SB, and he got 7 touches himself, including 4/43 in the passing game ... one of his scampers was very key in the comeback drive, iirc. 

that's how much they thought of a HEALTHY Sony ... he got 2 carrries ... for 2 yds. 

[Newtown]

5 minutes ago, Pastor3 said:

especially considering that in the biggest tackle foosball extravaganza known to mankind, the Stupor Bowl, the Rams totally eschewed a healthy Sony ... they opted to give 19 touches to a gimp (Achers) fresh off "recovery" from the death knell that is the dreaded achilles, and who was averaging a robust 2.3 ypc thru the playoff totes he had up to that pernt. 

further, ol' Hendu was activated off IR the Friday (2 days!) prior to the SB, and he got 7 touches himself, including 4/43 in the passing game ... one of his scampers was very key in the comeback drive, iirc. 

that's how much they thought of a HEALTHY Sony ... he got 2 carrries ... for 2 yds. 

And they let Sony go so there's that...

[Pastor3]

2 minutes ago, Newtown said:

And they let Sony go so there's that...

yep. 

when all 3 hands were on deck, he got the shaft. 

bigly. 

[philnutz]

any news on Jake Funk?

 

[vthokie3]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2022-01-13/rams-cam-akers-torn-achilles-tendon-recovery

If anyone is interested in the details of his procedure and recovery

[StartYourStuds]

On 9/2/2022 at 5:40 PM, Newtown said:

McVay has shown that he's a bell cow kind of coach. He usually feeds his guy the ball even when returning from injury and his guy is Akers. If you can stand the risk, the upside for a RB1 in a McVay offense is through the roof. If you want lower risk with a likely lower ceiling, bet low on DHJ.

I bet on Akers, but I think I got incredible value for him (6.7 in a 12 team 0.5 ppr money league). For me, it was a risk I was willing to take. I would probably pivot in rounds 5 or higher.

This is exactly right... McVay has shown he loves his bellcows and him giving Akers the ball last year during the playoffs so soon really speaks volumes on his belief in him.  I think he's going to surprise a lot of people this year.  I have DHJ as well as a handcuff just in case fit hits the shan.  This is a high powered offense and having the bellcow RB is a no brainer risk I'm willing to take at a his current mid round value and the perceived public opinion because of this injury status.

[JL13]

I took a gamble and picked him up in the 4th round, cheers to gambling!

[FinsUp24]

Yea the risks are obvious here, but the upside is massive. This guy was a first round pick for 2021 before tearing his achilles. The coaches love him. Explosive offense. Goal line back. Decent receiver. Definitely worth the gamble IMO.

So much was made of his poor performance coming back from injury last year, but if you actually watched the games, he looked perfectly fine. In that span of 5 games he had to play the 49ers twice and the Bucs once (both top run defenses). If you watched the super bowl, I’m not sure how you could really blame Akers for the poor efficiency. He was getting blown up in the backfield carry after carry and it was clearly an emphasis by the Bengals to take away the run game (Hendo had 4 carries for 7 yards). 

[Gohawks]

On 9/2/2022 at 2:40 PM, Newtown said:

McVay has shown that he's a bell cow kind of coach. He usually feeds his guy the ball even when returning from injury and his guy is Akers. If you can stand the risk, the upside for a RB1 in a McVay offense is through the roof. If you want lower risk with a likely lower ceiling, bet low on DHJ.

I bet on Akers, but I think I got incredible value for him (6.7 in a 12 team 0.5 ppr money league). For me, it was a risk I was willing to take. I would probably pivot in rounds 5 or higher.

He’s shown to be a bellow coach based on what exactly? Because ever since Gurley left his prime the backfield has been a hot mess. Plenty of 60/40 splits even with Gurley after he started to have knee issues.

Almost every coach is going to seem like a bellcow coach when they have a top 3 RB in their prime in the backfield. 

[Newtown]

5 minutes ago, Gohawks said:

He’s shown to be a bellow coach based on what exactly? Because ever since Gurley left his prime the backfield has been a hot mess. Plenty of 60/40 splits even with Gurley after he started to have knee issues.

Almost every coach is going to seem like a bellcow coach when they have a top 3 RB in their prime in the backfield. 

Injuries have affected the narrative, sure. But when HIS guy is healthy, he gets the volume. Cam Akers is healthy. I expect him to get the volume.

[Gohawks]

1 minute ago, Newtown said:

Injuries have affected the narrative, sure. But when HIS guy is healthy, he gets the volume. Cam Akers is healthy. I expect him to get the volume.

So I’ll repeat myself:

Based on what? You’re going to base it off Gurley who was arguably the best RB in football? Obviously he’s going to be a bellcow.

You claim Akers is his guy but he’s gotten 75%+ snap count three times in his career. Even last season he had over 80% snaps in a game only to get significantly out snapped by Michel the following week. 

[Olliemets]

14 minutes ago, Gohawks said:

So I’ll repeat myself:

Based on what? You’re going to base it off Gurley who was arguably the best RB in football? Obviously he’s going to be a bellcow.

You claim Akers is his guy but he’s gotten 75%+ snap count three times in his career. Even last season he had over 80% snaps in a game only to get significantly out snapped by Michel the following week. 

One of Sony or Henderson got at least 70% of snaps in 13 of their 16 regular season games last year. Know Henderson was banged up a bit, but still telling. 
 

2020 was definitely more of a committee due to the strange commitment to giving Malcolm Brown a big role, but Akers missed time that year so tough to know how that would’ve shaken out if he hadn’t, as he became the Bellcow for the last 5 weeks.

 

Could see this year being closer to 2020 than 2021, but there’s precedence for McVay using a bellcow for guys not named Todd.

[Newtown]

4 minutes ago, Gohawks said:

So I’ll repeat myself:

Based on what? You’re going to base it off Gurley who was arguably the best RB in football? Obviously he’s going to be a bellcow.

You claim Akers is his guy but he’s gotten 75%+ snap count three times in his career. Even last season he had over 80% snaps in a game only to get significantly out snapped by Michel the following week. 

Akers wasn't his guy at that point. He was an unproven rookie coming off a preseason injury. Furthermore, it's not a claim. Its my observation.

 

Regular season (since week 13) 2020:

Carries 21. 29, 15. 21

Targets 1, 3, 3, 4

 

Postseason 2020:

Carries 28, 18

Targets 2, 1

 

Regular season 2021: He missed most of the regular season (had 5 carries in the finale) coming off an Achilles injury.

 

Postseason 2021:

Carries 17, 24. 13, 13

Targets 2,3, 1, 4

 

Since week 13 of 2020 barring injury, Akers has been his guy. He even got the bulk of the volume after a 6 month recovery from a major injury. I believe, if healthy, he'll get the bulk of the volume. Nothing I have seen since late 2020 has suggested otherwise. If he gets that volume fresh off a major injury, imagine, if healthy.

McVay will ultimately decide in 2 days.

[Newtown]

6 minutes ago, Olliemets said:

One of Sony or Henderson got at least 70% of snaps in 13 of their 16 regular season games last year. Know Henderson was banged up a bit, but still telling. 
 

2020 was definitely more of a committee due to the strange commitment to giving Malcolm Brown a big role, but Akers missed time that year so tough to know how that would’ve shaken out if he hadn’t, as he became the Bellcow for the last 5 weeks.

 

Could see this year being closer to 2020 than 2021, but there’s precedence for McVay using a bellcow for guys not named Todd.

I think the Malcom Brown experiment has caused some confusion as to how McVay likes to deploy is backfield. Outside of that, I think McVay has been consistent in feeding one guy the ball.

[Fried Pork Grind]

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer here but I will anyways. 

If I were to bet on any player in the top 20 ADP not ending within 5 positions of their ADP it would be this guy. To me just too many red flags. 

 

[harck]

Mcvay does whatever is best for the team, I wouldn't call him a bellcow or committee coach -- he has done both; I don't think he's locked into one approach.

When he has a bellcow he trusts, he rides them (Gurley). When he doesn't have a clear lead talent, he runs a committee. Look at the Rams in 2020, every other week we had a new "waiver wire" rams RB. At the start of the season it was a split between henderson/malcolm-brown with akers sprinkling in a few snaps. Towards the end of the season Akers started to take over but it was pretty much a committee for most of that season.

That being said, it's very promising that Mcvay immediately threw Akers into a bellcow role 6 months off of surgery in the super bowl run. There was a Chargers beat writer I follow that is now a Rams beat writer and throughout the offseason he has claimed Akers has looked like the best RB throughout camp.

Edited September 6, 2022 by harck

[JE7HorseGod]

If Akers were clearly, definitively recovered from the Achilles and any new injuries I think he would be the the guy and Henderson would be a more change of pace type.

But I am not sure if that is the case.