Think I'm going to like the 1-2 punch of Akers and Henderson. And since neither of these guys are Gurley circa 2017, the offense is going to look different as well, which means opponents are going to have to figure it out again. Good.
With the 52nd pick in the NFL draft the Los Angeles Rams select Cam Akers
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I think we will end up loving him. Serious upgrade over Henderson
Here's my objective opinion on Akers (waited until after the draft ended for the night, made sure I wasn't emotional lol, and reviewed a few of his games again):
- Great scheme fit if we plan to continue to run a lot of outside zone. Explosive one-cut runner with the speed to house it.
- Similar player to Darrell Henderson. Henderson is a bit more elusive, but Akers is bigger and more powerful.
- Legitimate threat in the passing game. Has the speed to stress LBs and the hands to be counted on to catch what you throw him.
- Willing and effective pass blocker. He's a compact, well-built kid (5'10" 215 pounds). He'll step up and blast a LB or a DL. Needs to improve on keeping his head on a swivel, as he misses delayed blitzers.
- Powerful runner with strong leg drives who finishes runs with authority. Very much a North-South runner. Can jump-cut in when needed to avoid defenders behind the LOS, but he's not going to be overly elusive in the open field. He's more of a linear athlete. Once he plants, he goes.
- Ran behind a really bad OL in an offense that didn't maximize his skill-set.
- Could see the frustration seeping through late in the season. Early in the year, he was throwing his body around whenever the team needed it. Against Florida in the last game, he chose to protect himself on some plays. Hard to blame him with how bad things were at FSU.
- Fumbles were a problem. He needs to clean that up.
- Vision is there, but due to the OL problems, patience might need some work.
Elmgrovegnome
Legend
He doesn't look too fast on the highlights. I don't see the second gear once he hits daylight. NFL defenders are faster than what he faced in college. I like the patience and vision but I don't see the burst of long speed at all.
I think he is way more fluid than Henderson. In fact I think Henderson is in a battle to get any touches.
i do not think its a one two punch with Henderson. I think Akers wins the majority of snaps.
seems as though the 6'2 225 back broke down prematurely. plus starting in 2021 akers will hopefully play well and save the payroll. maybe RB by committee works better since 1 great RB failed the Rams in the SB. with a couple of good backs, injuries wont be as critical going forward.
My thoughts are that this shows that Gurley has irreparable issues.
Not only are we taking a cap hit and GIVING a fourth round pick to get Gurley off the books, he more or less cost us a second round pick to replace what ever he is right now.
This is our first pick so I believe this is important. So my thoughts:
1) Until I see his football IQ on the field he is not yet a Marshall. Nor likely will be. And that is more than okay.
2) To compare him to a Dunn or Cooks? Dang! That is saying something.
3) The negatives listed can be coached. Let us all hope he can be coached up. Those are some game losing negatives. Turnovers are that important.
I have to think that this was scouted well and more than McVay and Snead were in on this decision. This feels like a team decision since this was the equivalent to our first round pick. (Well sort of because Ramsey is really our first round pick but I think you know what I mean)
This pick totally blind sided me. When its comes to the draft this is nothing new. I try to just go with the flow with blind trust. The future will let us all know soon enough.
GO RAMS!!!
He's a 4.47 40. He's not a 4.3 guy, but he has the speed to house it. He's definitely fastest in the first 10 yards, but that's what's most important imo. Because of that acceleration, if he has a seam, he can go all the way. I'm not saying the guy is Chris Johnson. But he's as fast as Nick Chubb. And Nick Chubb has speed you have to respect.
I wanted Dobbins but if the Rams prefer Akers after spending so much time appraising them, then I can accept they know better.
It lies in the details. It seems to me that Ackers, as well as being physically gifted enough to excel in a lesser program, is also a hard study. For example, blocking as a RB required that you know everyone else’s assignment, the cadence and route timing. There are some nice moments when Akers also knows when its time to slip into the flat as the play extends. Those were all knocks on Dobbins coming out
Akers and Henderson give us an electric backfield with possibly the best 3rd RB in the league backing them up
Kelly is physical enough to earn a spot on teams, giving us a phenomenal RB room
It lies in the details. It seems to me that Ackers, as well as being physically gifted enough to excel in a lesser program, is also a hard study. For example, blocking as a RB required that you know everyone else’s assignment, the cadence and route timing. There are some nice moments when Akers also knows when its time to slip into the flat as the play extends. Those were all knocks on Dobbins coming out
Akers and Henderson give us an electric backfield with possibly the best 3rd RB in the league backing them up
Kelly is physical enough to earn a spot on teams, giving us a phenomenal RB room
2020 NFL Draft Prospect RB Cam Akers
A do it all back with an arsenal of offensive weaponswww.ganggreennation.com
Here a terrific breakdown of Akers with gifs (from a Jets site of all places).
I was especially impressed by his work as a receiver. There is a gif in there where he lines up as a flanker and runs a 10 yard stop for a first down, with the Falcons 1st round CB lined up on him in man coverage. That's where Akers differentiates himself not just as a back who can catch, but as a back who can actually play receiver. It's a matchup nightmare.
Wow! That was a terrific find.
Want to know more about Akers? Lots to see at that link!
Wow! That was a terrific find.
Want to know more about Akers? Lots to see at that link!
View: https://twitter.com/JKBogenDTR/status/1254003368370077697?s=20
sjm1582002
Wanted everywhere but welcome nowhere
Wow! That was a terrific find.
Want to know more about Akers? Lots to see at that link!
Sure was.
Love how he delivered a "wake up call" to the Miami saftey instead of slipping out of bounds.
Even better was out running the entire Gator secondary.
I'm pleased with adding Akers.
2020 NFL Draft: RB Cam Akers pleased to land with Rams
www.therams.com
Rams head coach Sean McVay on April 6 said the team was doing its homework on this year's running back class, though whether they used a pick in this year's draft to address that position remained to be seen.
Ultimately, they chose to do so, picking up Florida State junior Cam Akers at No. 52 in the second round. It's an opportunity Akers is excited about.
"Just a blessing to be in this position, a blessing to be a part of such a great organization," Akers said on a video conference Friday night. "As far as filling Todd Gurley's shoes, just going to come in and play whatever the team need me to be. Whatever they need me to be, whatever they need me to do, that's what I'll do."
Akers said he had video meetings with the Rams over FaceTime "a few times" during the pre-draft process. He shares an agent with Los Angeles cornerback Jalen Ramsey and is also familiar with running back Darrell Henderson, who is a fellow Mississippi native.
At Florida State, Akers joined former Seminole greats Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook as one of three players from FSU with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. His 2,874 career rushing yards and 11 100-yard rushing games both ranked sixth in program history, while his 27 rushing touchdowns are seventh-most.
"I think I bring a 3-down, 4-down back if necessary," Akers said, when asked what he brings to the Rams. "I'm somebody who can come in and be a game-changer, be everything this team and the fans need me to be and everything they're expecting me to be."
He doesn't want to limit his contributions to the Rams' rushing attack, though.
"Whether it's blocking, running, catching, special teams, whatever I need to do," Akers said. "I've got my big boy pants on and I'm ready to do it."
Besides those multi-purpose abilities, Akers also has a unique background as someone who played both running back and quarterback coming out of high school.
"(Being a former high school quarterback helps) just being able to break down defenses and go through the progressions a little faster," said Akers, who averaged 4.9 yards per carry across three seasons at Florida State. "Having that edge, having that quarterback thought process when approaching the line of scrimmage and approaching every play."
Akers said he didn't talk to McVay prior to the draft, but McVay told him he thought he could fit in well and be a big piece to the offense. Combined with knowing how McVay uses his running backs in the running game and the passing game, L.A. makes for an appealing destination for him to begin his NFL career.
"They allow their backs to do everything," Akers said. "I think it would be good for any back, but thank God I'm in that situation."
Comparing J.K. Dobbins to Akers let me communicate as I've seen every game Dobbins has played and IMO, the Ravens are a better fit. Dobbins complained in 2018 that not having a QB that can run limited his effectiveness. Buckeyes had Haskins in 2018, who was not a threat from the RPO to run the ball, so teams keyed more on Dobbins and he was stopped more then he was used to.
I do believe Akers fits the scheme better and has more reliable hands and IMO, was the better pick overall, but time will tell.
I do believe Akers fits the scheme better and has more reliable hands and IMO, was the better pick overall, but time will tell.
reaaly ?? Todd Gurley. Those other RB’s were picked higher than 52
good call - I’ll take your work 4 it & hope your right. Glad The Rams got there back & we’re still able to get Van Jefferson.