For everyone looking to draft a RB high...

[Flatlyner]

I'd certainly take one in the draft (so will McVay who had taken one in every draft so far). I just wouldn't take one high. We have MUCH bigger needs and the RB class is very very deep this year. I think 2 things happened at the end of season that helped Akers be a top 5 back in the league, some continuity on the OL and, perhaps, he got back to former self after achillies tear. Both can be true.

Rams did just met with Kendre Miller, so, I would assume, they are very interested in picking up a back this year. Golden rule is, you don't sign a RB to a 2nd contract.

 

[CGI_Ram]

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.

Spotrac has Akers as UFA in 2024.

Cam Akers

Cam Akers contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[AvengerRam]

Spotrac has Akers as UFA in 2024.

View attachment 59450

Cam Akers

Cam Akers contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

That’s where I got my info, but it looks like Turducken is correct:

View: https://twitter.com/jourdanrodrigue/status/1608274263718629376?s=46&t=bbzb7IDvfGm9LeJP7BVpnQ

 

[CGI_Ram]

That’s where I got my info, but it looks like Turducken is correct:

View: https://twitter.com/jourdanrodrigue/status/1608274263718629376?s=46&t=bbzb7IDvfGm9LeJP7BVpnQ

Well, that is interesting. Thanks to both of you for sharing that. I hadn’t heard that.

@Turducken

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'd certainly take one in the draft (so will McVay who had taken one in every draft so far). I just wouldn't take one high. We have MUCH bigger needs and the RB class is very very deep this year. I think 2 things happened at the end of season that helped Akers be a top 5 back in the league, some continuity on the OL and, perhaps, he got back to former self after achillies tear. Both can be true.

Rams did just met with Kendre Miller, so, I would assume, they are very interested in picking up a back this year. Golden rule is, you don't sign a RB to a 2nd contract.

Is it a deep class? I heard it was pretty average. One elite talent in Bijan, an exciting tweener in Gibbs and a handful of choose your own adventure guys after that.

 

[Flatlyner]

Well, IMO and many others, its one of the deeper RB classes in recent years. There is a lot of talents backs to be had.

 

[Merlin]

Interesting. Figure they let him leave in FA still, simply because they'll want the pick return and won't want to pay him, but it's good to know they can lock him up if they want to.

 

[Merlin]

Re: the class there's a lot of depth for sure. Rams should be able to find a RB for that depth bellcow role even if they wait until late.

 

[OldSchool]

Yeah he started NFI because they were even at the start of the season talking about him coming back and the NFI list allowed him to not count against the 53 man roster or salary cap (if I remember correctly).

 

[Memento]

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

EDIT: Never mind, read Jordan's work.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Well, IMO and many others, its one of the deeper RB classes in recent years. There is a lot of talents backs to be had.

From your lips to McVays ears.

 

[dieterbrock]

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

2021 was an accrued year since he was on IR
Accrued seasons: Used to determine a player's free agency status (unrestricted, restricted, exclusive rights). In order to accrue a season, a player must have been on (or should have been on*) full-play status for at least six regular-season games in a given season. A player under contract must report to his team's training camp on his mandatory reporting date in order to earn an accrued season. If player holds out his services for a "material period of time," he is also at risk of not accruing a season.
*When I write "or should have been on," note that this is the language used in the CBA. Basically, in order to accrue a season, the player needs to be on the team's active/inactive list, injured reserve or reserve PUP for at least six regular-season games in a given season.

2021 NFL free agency glossary: All the terms you need to know

 

[Turducken]

2021 was an accrued year since he was on IR
Accrued seasons: Used to determine a player's free agency status (unrestricted, restricted, exclusive rights). In order to accrue a season, a player must have been on (or should have been on*) full-play status for at least six regular-season games in a given season. A player under contract must report to his team's training camp on his mandatory reporting date in order to earn an accrued season. If player holds out his services for a "material period of time," he is also at risk of not accruing a season.
*When I write "or should have been on," note that this is the language used in the CBA. Basically, in order to accrue a season, the player needs to be on the team's active/inactive list, injured reserve or reserve PUP for at least six regular-season games in a given season.

2021 NFL free agency glossary: All the terms you need to know

I could be wrong, but I think the distinction is that Akers began the season on the NFI list (Non-Football Injury). He tore his Achilles while he was on his own (training no doubt, but not part of team activities).

I think the Rams have the option to treat it like it was a bungee jumping accident (but maybe they won't).

 

[OldSchool]

I could be wrong, but I think the distinction is that Akers began the season on the NFI list (Non-Football Injury). He tore his Achilles while he was on his own (training no doubt, but not part of team activities).

I think the Rams have the option to treat it like it was a bungee jumping accident (but maybe they won't).

Already been done nothing further to do about that incident in the past.

 

[OldSchool]

What are you not sure about? Can they go back and change how they handled an injury on the roster two years after doing it thereby changing a guys status as a free agent after the fact? It's done as has already been pointed out.

 

[Ramrasta]

Is it a deep class? I heard it was pretty average. One elite talent in Bijan, an exciting tweener in Gibbs and a handful of choose your own adventure guys after that.

There are a handful of mid-round backs that have huge upside. Josh Charbonnet, Tyjae Spears, Tank Bigsby, Kendre Miller, and Isreal Abanikanda are all worth taking.

One trick pony speed backs like Gibbs and Achane are the fools gold IMO. They will probably end up as JD Mckissic 2.0

 

[WestCoastRam]

There are a handful of mid-round backs that have huge upside. Josh Charbonnet, Tyjae Spears, Tank Bigsby, Kendre Miller, and Isreal Abanikanda are all worth taking.

One trick pony speed backs like Gibbs and Achane are the fools gold IMO. They will probably end up as JD Mckissic 2.0

I'm not sure how many pundits would argue those guys have huge upside but certainly those guys have an outside shot at being starters in this league. I think the argument is that this draft is deep at RB which would point to many more RBs available in both mid and late rounds. It sounds like it's an average class. Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure we'll pick a guy but the chances of success in this draft will be slimmer than others.

 

[Merlin]

From your lips to McVays ears.

He wishes.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Rams Worked Out 2-Time All-American RB With Late NFL Interest: Report

The Rams have a multiple All-American on their draft board after putting him through a workout, one insider says.

heavy.com

Rams Worked Out 2-Time All-American RB With Late NFL Interest: Report​

Could the Los Angeles Rams plaster a rare hidden gem talent who’s a two-time All-American running back on their 2023 NFL Draft board?

T.J. Cole has created some late NFL buzz heading toward the draft — out of NCAA Division II program Ouachita Baptist of Arkansas. Cole got to work out in front of the Rams per NFL insider Aaron Wilson of NBC 2 Houston on Tuesday, April 11 during his Pro Day. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Cole not only earned All-American accolades at the private Baptist university, but was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy — which annually goes to the best player in Division II.

Wilson includes Cole leaped to a 32 inch vertical jump, ran his 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and has fielded interest outside of the Rams — with the insider naming off the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals as the other newly interested teams ahead of the draft.

All-American History & Background

Cole’s first taste of earning All-American honors was in 2017.

The native of Texarkana, Texas not only guided his high school Pleasant Grove to the Class 4A Division II state title, but Cole ended that season earning First Team All-State RB honors.

Cole wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school even with a state ring in tow. He ultimately settled for the school located in the small community of Arkadelphia (population of 10,380 according to the city website).

But he didn’t stop placing his name with the words “All-American.” In 2021, he broke his conference record (Great American Conference) in rushing yards with 1,530 and finished with 17 touchdowns — earning him AFCA First Team All-American recognition after that season.

He would go on to follow with another record-shattering season — this time compiling 1,672 yards and an astronomical 26 scores. He ended up as the school’s all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns at 49 total. He was not only the bell cow back for OBU, but also took direct snaps at quarterback and powered into the end zone.

Should the Rams take in Cole in the draft, it gives L.A. a rare DII product, though it wouldn’t be the first time the Rams went that direction. In 2021, the Rams selected edge rusher Chris Garrett — who starred at Concordia-St. Paul.

 

[Ramrasta]

I'm not sure how many pundits would argue those guys have huge upside but certainly those guys have an outside shot at being starters in this league. I think the argument is that this draft is deep at RB which would point to many more RBs available in both mid and late rounds. It sounds like it's an average class. Nothing wrong with that. I'm sure we'll pick a guy but the chances of success in this draft will be slimmer than others.

The majority of draft analysts agree this draft is deep at RB, TE, and CB. There is an argument that all of the backs mentioned have the capability to at least match Cam Akers’ production, given the chance. They all have starter upside and most of the NFL is RB by committee now anyway.