The Cam Akers Enigma - Do the Rams need to add a starting RB?

[Flatlyner]

There are 10+ good rbs and 2 or 3 that are top half of the first round talent.
I would love to get a RB but not sure rd 2 or 3 is a place we can afford to spend our capitol. We are so limited by our drafting assets and needing of help in a few areas that it may not make sense to the F.O
Robinson, Corum & Gibbs are possibly top 20 talent but play @ a position that has become devalued due to longevity amongst other things.

If we could get another 3rd or a 4th somehow we may be able to land a top 10 back which likely would be a top 3 - 5 in many of the drafts over recent years

Corum announced he was returning to Michigan. Strange decision for a top 5 RB if you ask me. Wish him the best.

 

[Angry Ram]

Yeah they'll get one.

Kyren Williams, Malcolm Brown, Jake Funk are beind Cam. Yeeesh.

 

[I like Rams]

I would be surprised if the Rams didn't take a RB early on that third day or if they get a 3rd round comp pick. This team needs to go 3 deep at RB. Or they can transition Powell to RB which is where he has played most of his life. Powell as a RB is probably as good as or better than anyone that they might get on day 3 of the draft.

Powell has a ton of burst and good vision. I was very impressed when he was put in a rb role this season.

 

[jrry32]

No, I don't think we need a starter, but I do think we need somebody who could function as a starter if Akers goes down or quits on the team again. I'll just say that I think Devon Achane is a special talent. And not only would he boost our HB room, he'd also offer us a game-breaking kickoff returner.

 

[madrid311]

cowboys are going to dump Elliot.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I think I’d be done as a coach with signing any RB long term. The game has changed so much the payout isn’t there with the history. He’s got to be god tier production and durability and even then I’d be apprehensive.

Kind of sucks as I love the RB position.

 

[OldSchool]

cowboys are going to dump Elliot.

Pity the team that over pays him.

 

[Malibu]

Robinson if he fell is a reach based again on our needs. Akers looked great the last 4 games. My opinion will always stand the OL makes the RB not the other way around unless he is a massive superstar like a Barry Sanders etc. We need to focus on bigger needs not less talent the talent will end up being the same.

Btw Robinson will not get out of the first round. Only a couple mocks have him making the 2nd round. We need a stud OLB and one will be there just pick the right one.

Remember the Rams will not fill every hole, but neither will any other team. The key is who does the best job at filling the most holes with quality players.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

McVay was the guy who pushed for Tutu. He likes weapons. He also holds grudges (Goff/Gurley). His memories of Akers ‘lack of urgency’ are probably lingering. He will be drooling over one of the runningbacks in this draft.

Jourdan has reported last offseason, that McVay’s main focus was fixing the running game. Now she’s saying nothing has changed in that regard. That tells me he’s probably looking RB, since he is always thinking weapons. I’d prefer he’d be leaning Olineman, specifically center and guard but I’ve got my hopes up too many times to expect it.

 

[den-the-coach]

No, I don't think we need a starter, but I do think we need somebody who could function as a starter if Akers goes down or quits on the team again. I'll just say that I think Devon Achane is a special talent. And not only would he boost our HB room, he'd also offer us a game-breaking kickoff returner.

I really like this kid and not many miles on him too. Now granted I would like a bigger back, but Achane does offer that home run speed (4.24 40) that both Akers & Williams lack to a degree.

 

[blackbart]

What do we have in Akers? A solid RB who had a major injury. He looks to be completely healed based on the end of the season and should be the starter this year. Decent receiver from the back field, needs to work on pass pro. Probably capable of 1200+ from scrimmage.

What happened last year? The new coach wasn’t capable of handling the players. The Oline was a total shitshow.

Will they draft a RB? Probably have to to maintain the rotation. Someone mentioned Funk, he’s no longer a Ram. Will they take someone early? We all saw the disaster with Atwell vs Humphrey.

 

[Merlin]

The key is not doing what they have done the past several seasons in confusing backfield roles. There are load carriers and passcatchy types at RB. You can go by committee as long as your load carrier options are > 1.

Applying this to our backfield we have one load carrier in Akers. So another is crucial. The prob is boy does McVay love him some passcatchy sumbishes. This is where Les needs to be a GM and steer his young coach to a roster that has good backfield balance.

 

[blackbart]

There are some decent FA RBs out there that could be that back up load carrier. Foreman, Perine, Scott, Johnson. None of those guys would break the Cap either.

 

[BonifayRam]

I think this Akers ‘situation’ is pretty simple.

Akers gets the lions share of the snaps this year if he can maintain the kind of production we saw late last year.

But after this year he’s a goner.

Rams will surely draft a RB that they think could be their new starter in ’24 at the latest. In fact, Rams should draft a RB every year and rotate them out every 4 years. No contract extensions for RB’s unless they are truly elite Gurley types, and only then if they’re completely healthy.

The above comments cover this topic plainly & completely.

Akers is a UFA this time next year. Rivers is also involved in FA'cy. Leaving the Rams with 1 RB Kyren Williams. Akers will not be resigned.

Williams appears at best to be a good 3rd down change of pace back but far from being a starting HD load RB.

The Rams will draft 2 RB's in this yrs draft. If a bargain is available on day 2 expect the Rams to pluck one early.

If I were Snead I going to try to keep McVay happy & lean towards providing him with offensive weapons. Not the best way to go IMO. Defensive selections are usually faster in paying in dividends early & the Rams have many HOLES in the defensive side of the roster primarily in the secondary.

 

[BonifayRam]

There are some decent FA RBs out there that could be that back up load carrier. Foreman, Perine, Scott, Johnson. None of those guys would break the Cap either.

2024 NFL Free Agents Tracker

Tracking the status and signings of all 2024 NFL free agents.

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If things get really tight-wise in the cap for the Rams...they might have to wait till the final cuts just before the regular season begins to pick up thrift store priced FA RB's.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Draft Jahmyr Gibbs early if McVay really wants a RB weapon as he can line up outside and is a helluva receiving threat plus he has insane burst and speed. Other than that, if he deems other positions more pertinent like o-line or edge, then go there first and draft a RB later in the draft. I think FA may give us a bigger insight as to the direction they may be leaning towards. Gonna be interesting.

 

[Ramlife]

Draft Jahmyr Gibbs early if McVay really wants a RB weapon as he can line up outside and is a helluva receiving threat plus he has insane burst and speed. Other than that, if he deems other positions more pertinent like o-line or edge, then go there first and draft a RB later in the draft. I think FA may give us a bigger insight as to the direction they may be leaning towards. Gonna be interesting.

i would love to see Gibbs in horns, wow what an explosive runner he is. I do think be will be gone when the Rams pick, but wow what a game breaker.

 

[Loyal]

The key is not doing what they have done the past several seasons in confusing backfield roles. There are load carriers and passcatchy types at RB. You can go by committee as long as your load carrier options are > 1.

Applying this to our backfield we have one load carrier in Akers. So another is crucial. The prob is boy does McVay love him some passcatchy sumbishes. This is where Les needs to be a GM and steer his young coach to a roster that has good backfield balance.

I want Bettis2.0, ya bastid! Even @den-the-coach is ready to give up some 1st rounders to get him! (2023,2024)

Slow yur roll, Den!

 

[El Chapo Jr]

i would love to see Gibbs in horns, wow what an explosive runner he is. I do think be will be gone when the Rams pick, but wow what a game breaker.

Yeah he is a home run threat on any given play which is what you want in your playmakers. It wouldn't surprise me to see a team trade up for him.

 

[So Ram]

I want Bettis2.0, ya bastid! Even @den-the-coach is ready to give up some 1st rounders to get him! (2023,2024)

Slow yur roll, Den!

The player I wanted The Rams to draft was Johnathan Taylor.
Then again having that to headed type monster RB stable with AJ Dillion & Cam Akers would have been nice.
Wondering if The Rams try to add that Montgomery to help out? KJ Williams might be an ok RB,but finding a bigger RN would be nice.

IMO - Malcom Brown really helped out as a mentor & bigger RB type that was able to add that type of vision by filling that type of a role the next 3 seasons.(not Malcom Brown). Who brings some of those qualities.
Even a backup who can play special teams as well? We saw what CJ Anderson did in the 2018 Super Bowl run.