For everyone looking to draft a RB high...

[Merlin]

Charbonnet would be great but have to see McVay approve that to believe it.

 

[Loyal]

Charbonnet would be great but have to see McVay approve that to believe it.

doubter!

 

[CGI_Ram]

Rams running back Cam Akers moves forward to 2023

www.therams.com

Cam Akers moves forward to 2023​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Across the highs and the lows from his 2022 season, Rams running back Cam Akers found applicable lessons from both by the end of it.

The biggest one?

Remaining resilient.

"I learned that I'm a resilient young man," Akers said Monday as Los Angeles began its offseason program. "Even when times get tough or cloudy and I don't know what the end result is, I know to keep working and doing whatever I'm doing to put myself in the best position. Remain resilient, remain God-fearing and just keep working."

These are things Akers said he already knew, but "came to the forefront" this year as he prepares for the 2023 season.

In 2022, Akers was away from the team for nearly a month as the Rams worked through internal issues. L.A. explored trading Akers during that time, but Akers ultimately returned to the team following the trade deadline.

"All behind me," Akers said of what happened last season. "Can't harp on the past or things that have happened in the past. It's a business, I treat it as such. You live and learn, and when you're not learning, that's when it's a problem. I'm learning."

Over the final 10 games he played upon returning, he rushed for 635 of his 786 rushing yards and six of his seven rushing touchdowns, including three-straight games over 100 rushing yards to close out the season. Asked if he's confident that early on this season there will be an opportunity to get the run game going by giving the ball to him consistently, Akers said he is based off how the offense as a whole – not just him – finished the season.

"Just got to be patient, make sure I do my part, try to continue to be a leader," Akers said.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had the vantage point of watching Akers from the sideline last season and through the time leading into the offseason program and was impressed by what he saw in both facets.

"Watching him, I thought he did an unbelievable job setting the tone in the run game for us," Stafford said. "He was running physical, making big plays, doing all the things you really needed him to do. Looking forward to continue to build off of that."

Stafford said that when he worked out at the facility in the time leading up to the offseason, Akers was also in the building. Knowing what lies ahead, Akers indicated it will remain the case for those voluntary spring workouts.

"Just making sure I do my part," Akers said. "Obviously it's my fourth year, contract year, big year for me personally, so just making sure I do whatever I need to do to be at my best for this team and for myself. That's why you've been seeing me here. You're going to continue to see me here."

 

[Loyal]

Rams running back Cam Akers moves forward to 2023

www.therams.com

Cam Akers moves forward to 2023​

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Across the highs and the lows from his 2022 season, Rams running back Cam Akers found applicable lessons from both by the end of it.

The biggest one?

Remaining resilient.

"I learned that I'm a resilient young man," Akers said Monday as Los Angeles began its offseason program. "Even when times get tough or cloudy and I don't know what the end result is, I know to keep working and doing whatever I'm doing to put myself in the best position. Remain resilient, remain God-fearing and just keep working."

These are things Akers said he already knew, but "came to the forefront" this year as he prepares for the 2023 season.

In 2022, Akers was away from the team for nearly a month as the Rams worked through internal issues. L.A. explored trading Akers during that time, but Akers ultimately returned to the team following the trade deadline.

"All behind me," Akers said of what happened last season. "Can't harp on the past or things that have happened in the past. It's a business, I treat it as such. You live and learn, and when you're not learning, that's when it's a problem. I'm learning."

Over the final 10 games he played upon returning, he rushed for 635 of his 786 rushing yards and six of his seven rushing touchdowns, including three-straight games over 100 rushing yards to close out the season. Asked if he's confident that early on this season there will be an opportunity to get the run game going by giving the ball to him consistently, Akers said he is based off how the offense as a whole – not just him – finished the season.

"Just got to be patient, make sure I do my part, try to continue to be a leader," Akers said.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had the vantage point of watching Akers from the sideline last season and through the time leading into the offseason program and was impressed by what he saw in both facets.

"Watching him, I thought he did an unbelievable job setting the tone in the run game for us," Stafford said. "He was running physical, making big plays, doing all the things you really needed him to do. Looking forward to continue to build off of that."

Stafford said that when he worked out at the facility in the time leading up to the offseason, Akers was also in the building. Knowing what lies ahead, Akers indicated it will remain the case for those voluntary spring workouts.

"Just making sure I do my part," Akers said. "Obviously it's my fourth year, contract year, big year for me personally, so just making sure I do whatever I need to do to be at my best for this team and for myself. That's why you've been seeing me here. You're going to continue to see me here."

"Dump him!" ~ CGI

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

How happy is akers gonna be when he finds out it's not his contract year?

.

 

[oldnotdead]

They probably will extend Akers 3 years if he plays well this year. RBs can be found in every draft and is one of the few positions that a rookie can be a standout.

IMO they will take a RB3 but it probably won't be early. Sixth or seventh round IMO.

 

[dang]

Huh, other than the draft being deep at TE and CB (and edge!) I didn't read any of that about the RBs, that would be nice though!

What I’ve read is RB, TE snd Edge are considered the deepest positions for the draft. I agree maybe only 1 elite RB but assume that means a number of quality RBs.

 

[dang]

.

How happy is akers gonna be when he finds out it's not his contract year?

.

Theres something about Akers but he needs a full season of success to punch his ticket. I believe he will get that chance this year with the Rams…so ”make it rain, Cam”!!

 

[WestCoastRam]

What I’ve read is RB, TE snd Edge are considered the deepest positions for the draft. I agree maybe only 1 elite RB but assume that means a number of quality RBs.

That would be great for us, for sure.

 

[Kupped]

Love Akers, still want another RB in 3rd or 4th.

 

[Merlin]

Rams are 100% gonna take a RB in this draft. Just a matter of when. And if they make a good selection this will be the first time since Gurley was healthy that they have actual proper depth they can expect to rely on in the backfield.

 

[Flatlyner]

I'd like to see what Kyren Williams has to offer this year. On the very few touches he got last year, he looked like he had some juice.

 

[Merlin]

Kyren may grow into a good change of pace option but that's all he's ever going to be. He's not gonna be a guy you feed handoffs in a tough game to keep this offense grounded. You could maybe get away with that if we had a top OL who get great push but we don't have that level of quality up front.

 

[CGI_Ram]

For the first time in my posting life I want a RB early, on the assumption the best guys are there early.

This offense is so different with a running game. We need a guy that can take over a game. The Rams know what that looks like. We’ve had it many times. Gurley was the last example. Go get THAT guy if he’s there, even if early.

If he’s not there then don’t force it.

But the right RB can be a game changer. It’s not all on the oline.

 

[Riverumbbq]

If the Rams want to improve on our running game, then first build the OL infrastructure which will support it. RB's have relatively short careers, the Rams are building for 2024 and beyond, why spend high today on a top RB that will face increased injury odds for a team that isn't likely moving towards post season play now ? Akers is heading into free agency following this season, squeeze everything he's worth out of him during his contract year as he's shown he can produce, just give him a couple big healthy OG's who won't get him buried in the backfield as he's being handed the ball. Malcolm Brown was lost during this years free agency, he's the guy to replace this season while we wait on replacing Akers next year, so find that late round big (215 lbs. +) quick, menacing RB who can deliver on short yardage plays, catch, block and bring the heat.

 

[Flatlyner]

For the first time in my posting life I want a RB early, on the assumption the best guys are there early.

This offense is so different with a running game. We need a guy that can take over a game. The Rams know what that looks like. We’ve had it many times. Gurley was the last example. Go get THAT guy if he’s there, even if early.

If he’s not there then don’t force it.

But the right RB can be a game changer. It’s not all on the oline.

As much as people dog on Akers, his last 4 games last year he was the guy that was taking over the game on offense:
21att/104yards, 5.0avg, 3rep/24yds
19/123, 6.5avg, 1r/10yds
23/118, 5.1avg, 2/29yds 3TD
12/65, 5.4avg, 3/35

Thats a 5.5 yards per carry avg last 4 games of the year. Few more carries and receptions per game and he'd qualify as a top 10 RB in league easily (with that trend). That would have been the best carry avg of any RB last season (outside of Khalil Herbert and his 129 attempts for 5.7). Above Chubb, A.Jones, Jacobs, Barkley.... etc.

 

[Merlin]

One of the reasons Gibbs would be a nice choice is because you could still hand the ball to Akers 20x a game and you have a guy in Gibbs who can run some wideout patterns and roast backers and safeties. Give him a seam on a screen and he's gone. He's going to flip the field in the NFL for someone.

Then if by some stretch Tutu finally starts clicking you could get crazy with the options.

But also a TE would be nice. So not set on any one thing I just hope the player they take in round 2 is someone we can get excited about.

 

[Loyal]

Rams are 100% gonna take a RB in this draft. Just a matter of when. And if they make a good selection this will be the first time since Gurley was healthy that they have actual proper depth they can expect to rely on in the backfield.

You know it!

 

[Merlin]

As much as people dog on Akers, his last 4 games last year he was the guy that was taking over the game on offense:
21att/104yards, 5.0avg, 3rep/24yds
19/123, 6.5avg, 1r/10yds
23/118, 5.1avg, 2/29yds 3TD
12/65, 5.4avg, 3/35

Thats a 5.5 yards per carry avg last 4 games of the year. Few more carries and receptions per game and he'd qualify as a top 10 RB in league easily (with that trend). That would have been the best carry avg of any RB last season (outside of Khalil Herbert and his 129 attempts for 5.7). Above Chubb, A.Jones, Jacobs, Barkley.... etc.

I've always liked Akers. But the key for the Rams is to not position themselves to be solely dependent on him. They really need to show they've learned from the past when it comes to RBs.

 

[Loyal]

I've always liked Akers. But the key for the Rams is to not position themselves to be solely dependent on him. They really need to show they've learned from the past when it comes to RBs.

Uses #1's pic for Avatar ~ Merlin