For everyone looking to draft a RB high...

[WestCoastRam]

View: https://twitter.com/LordReebs/status/1645546316330835968


Does this move the needle for you?

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/LordReebs/status/1645546316330835968


Does this move the needle for you?

I don't want a RB early but I do want an RB. Those stats are nice and all for Akers and I like him too but have 3 things for you.

1) Rookie deal expiring soon
2) Injuries to RB have a habit of snowballing
3) Cycling rookie RB contracts is just smart/good business.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I want new blood at RB.

For me with Akers, I just don’t trust him.

The whole trade thing last year was just too weird for me. Akers also seemed to run harder after his return, which I hope was a mirage, but it looked that way effort-wise.

 

[Loyal]

I want new blood at RB.

For me with Akers, I just don’t trust him.

The whole trade thing last year was just too weird for me. Akers also seemed to run harder after his return, which I hope was a mirage, but it looked that way effort-wise.

Plus, I think of one or two of the RB's as electric, transformational players.

 

[fanotodd]

…and the fumbles!

 

[CGI_Ram]

…and the fumbles!

I was planning to comment on that in my post, but his fumble rate isn’t bad. I was a little surprised as my gut said otherwise.

This chart lists total fumbles, so you need to look at attempts too.

Most Fumbles 2022 Running Backs | StatMuse

Derrick Henry had the most fumbles by a running back in 2022, with 6 fumbles.

www.statmuse.com

 

[fanotodd]

Maybe it’s just the timing of his then, because I can still see that TB playoff game.
The horror, the horror.

 

[AvengerRam]

No. Akers is in the final year of his rookie deal.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Until he proves otherwise, his nickname is “SlowStart” .

The Rams need a RB that can play well the entire season

 

[PARAM]

Based on the lifespan of RBs, you should draft one every other year, at least. We had Marshall and we drafted Canidate (1st Rd, 2000), Lamar Gordon (3rd, 2002) and Steven Jackson (1st, 2004). And where did it get us, as far as RB? A pretty good RB for 14 yrs (1999-2012). Since drafting SJ, we've not drafted a RB in 7 of 18 drafts and only twice did we go 2 years without drafting one. Draft a RB. The earlier the better, as anything under the 3rd round hasn't delivered much.

Akers looked good down the stretch. Fine. Kyren Williams showed some promise. Fine. Akers is in his 4th season, so get the next one on the roster, now.

 

[Turducken]

No. Akers is in the final year of his rookie deal.

Yes, but he'll be a RFA so in my mind we'll have him at a discount for two more seasons (assuming we want him in '24)

Rams could retain him in '24 season for $4m on a second round tender. If he has a big season in '23 and another team comes after him we'd receive a second round pick in return (if we didn't want to match their offer).

 

[dang]

Has any Rams RB had such a rollercoaster ride in his first 3 years. Stud for stretches. Did for stretches. Benched. Serious Injury/almost miraculous recovery. Request for trade. Fumbles at the goal line. Blows thru defenders at times. There’s something about Cam that McVay likes. So I think the Rams draft a R4/5 RB this year and give Akers one more chance to show as the bell cow. There are always decent FA vets that can be added or traded for should it implode mid season.

 

[snackdaddy]

If Akers is ever gonna break out this would be the season. I'd draft running back but not early. Find a speed guy on day 3 and see if you get lucky. KC drafted Pacheco in the 7th. He sure looks like a good one.

 

[AvengerRam]

Yes, but he'll be a RFA so in my mind we'll have him at a discount for two more seasons (assuming we want him in '24)

Rams could retain him in '24 season for $4m on a second round tender. If he has a big season in '23 and another team comes after him we'd receive a second round pick in return (if we didn't want to match their offer).

He’s a UFA after this year.

 

[Merlin]

I want new blood at RB.

For me with Akers, I just don’t trust him.

The whole trade thing last year was just too weird for me. Akers also seemed to run harder after his return, which I hope was a mirage, but it looked that way effort-wise.

This. I think Samples was a big part of that clusterfuck we had going on behind the scenes but Akers has to carry some of it too. And we cannot afford to do the same thing yet again where we hold ourselves hostage to these backs who have not gotten the job done.

It definitely looks like a backup bell-cow can be had all over in this draft so it doesn't have to be early unless a guy we really want falls to us.

 

[Turducken]

He’s a UFA after this year.

He only had three accrued seasons (due to the Achilles tear).

 

[Ramfansince79]

I’m no expert, but I don’t think it matters if we draft a RB early-we just don’t seem to set up the run at all. The goal of the running game for McVay is to make defenses stay at least a little honest so we can open up the field for our receivers. It’s worked, so I’m not whining—as much as I’d love to be able to pound the ball when needed!

 

[AvengerRam]

He only had three accrued seasons (due to the Achilles tear).

I stand corrected. Good catch.

My answer remains the same, though. I still think we need more at the RB position.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Def think we need more at RB but I think all things being equal, I'm not sure I see a RB in the 2nd that is heads and tails above the edge and CB talent that will be there at 36. And if I found myself looking at another position of need vs a RB at each of our picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds I think having control of Akers for 2 years probably is the tie breaker for me to go with a different position of need.

 

[Turducken]

I stand corrected. Good catch.

My answer remains the same, though. I still think we need more at the RB position.

Yeah. I always try to grab an RB in the middle rounds when I do mock drafts, but there are so many other immediate needs. Our defense is full of holes now, every position group should add playable rookies in this draft. OLine is a big question mark, it would be hard to turn down an LT (or CB or edge) with a solid 1st round grade if one fell to us at 36.