With the 52nd pick in the NFL draft the Los Angeles Rams select Cam Akers

[Faceplant]

I see a little bit of Faulk, a little more of Le'veon Bell. Kid has all the tools, that's for sure. Pure football player.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

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.

Maybe its his short legs that make him look slow. Or maybe I’m just spoiled from watching Gurley the last few years.

 

[Selassie I]

I watched us make this pick last night with both of my twins. They are both just weeks away from graduating from FSU. It was just me and them.

What an explosion of happiness came from both of them. I just sat there and tried to soak it all in. It was like we had just won the Super Bowl. Wow.

They have nothing but great things to say about Cam.

No matter what he does on the field for us... he already reached MVP Level in my livingroom last night.

 

[lockdnram21]

Maybe its his short legs that make him look slow. Or maybe I’m just spoiled from watching Gurley the last few years.

Him and Gurley were about the same speed

 

[HitStick]

A lot of people comparing him to Faulk and I don’t see it. Faulk is THE complete back. The only one in the current era deserving to be in the same conversation as him is CM22.

This kid is more Shady McCoy with a little more of a mean streak...Maybe a little Ray Rice (on the field). Either way, he’s a stud and is a fit.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Said it a million times ......never liked Henderson. LOVE the pick !!

A million times!?!

 

[jap]

The thing about Cam that impresses me is the same thing that impressed me about former Ram, Steven Jackson - he played behind a sorry OL and still produced!!!!

Does anything else need to be said?

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

The thing about Cam that impresses me is the same thing that impressed me about former Ram, Steven Jackson - he played behind a sorry OL and still produced!!!!

Does anything else need to be said?

Absolutely. He was on some terrible teams really. Teams that simply could not get it going offensively outside of his efforts. That says a lot about him.

 

[InnovatedMind]

I absolutely love this pick.

I can't wait to see what he does with us. Future franchise RB? Maybe.

*crosses fingers*

 

[PressureD41]

Henderson was drafted to be a so called 3rd down back paired w/ TG30. Now they drafted TG30 replacement in Akers someone that can be a 1 or 1A. Nothing changed for Henderson in my eyes

 

[InnovatedMind]

Henderson was drafted to be a so called 3rd down back paired w/ TG30. Now they drafted TG30 replacement in Ackers someone that can be a 1 or 1A. Nothing changed for Henderson in my eyes

Akers + Henderson. Thunder and Lightning. Let's go!

 

[rams1fan]

Running style is very Leveon Bell. Patient and then burst. Solid in pass pro and as a receiver. Next to Taylor was best 3 down back in 2020. Will earn the majority of snaps for Rams in 2020.

 

[Merlin]

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.

Well Den I realize players complaining and taking practice time outs for hurt feelings are the norm every spring with the Ohio State football program.

But now that we have all that unpleasantness established I gotta say that I do love how Akers just grinds and does his job. He's a high character dude and team-first guy because if he wasn't he had every reason to make a lot of noise and he didn't. So I'm really excited about seeing this guy become the next great Rams RB. I just hope the line gets it done for him and Goff his rookie season.

 

[den-the-coach]

Well Den I realize players complaining and taking practice time outs for hurt feelings are the norm every spring with the Ohio State football program.

I just hope the line gets it done for him and Goff his rookie season.

As to the first part, we usually send those guys to the State of Michigan in exile....As to Offensive Line, that will be the key. I can't help to think that they said to Cam Akers...."You think you couldn't run behind Florida State's Offensive Line, wait until you try to run behind ours."

 

[ReddingRam]

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.

It's the new thing. It's smart. Gives personnel group flexibility, play design creativity and limits wear and tear on the position. All the good teams are doing it (multiple RBs). this post is 'post draft" so I will include some things in it that weren't available when the selection was made. But wouldn't most say that the Ravens are not only a very good team but great at roster building and stocking? well they already have a couple stud RB's on their roster, yet still took another good one in this draft. I don't think this is necessarily an indictment on Hendo in as much as it is adding another weapon and another option to keep the Offense as a whole able to open up and be creative.

We ran TG into the ground .. and have paid the price in doing so. Having multiple guys that are talented and that you can count on to be able to put in at anytime is a great thing. Just like we did with the WR group. And now the TE group as well. If we all reflect back a bit...what happened towards the end of 2018 and even more so in 2019? My answer (other than injuries) was the fact that teams started to figure us out. It was even confirmed at the end of 2018 when opposing players acknowledged that the Rams offense didn't do anything that they were not expecting. then in 2019 we have the injuries and it was even more so. I don't know how many times i heard the phrase from the guys calling the games "they are basically running the same 5 plays over and over". And we were. And we got stuck on personnel groupings that almost gave away any chances of surprise element. TG got a little bit gimpy. Reports that DH also got nicked up early. Cooks got a bit "cooked" by concussions. the OL had to use very young guys with not much continuity and ... there ya have it. Not enough talent, continuity, trust to change things up and get creative.

Now .. we lost TG.. but added another dynamic RB to the group. At the very least we now have 3 good RB's with multiple skill sets. We added another technician and talented WR to the group. We added yet another TE who also has talent and great route skills. (The drops are another issue. the guy can catch. he just needs to focus more before trying to run). The OL hasn't changed much, but I am one of those in the belief that with experience and continuity, this group will be better. Two adds to the group (Anchrum and Cabral- UDFA Center) are going to help with IOL depth.


So where am I going with all of this? (Long winded I know, but been awhile since i have been on here) We have brought this roster back to one that we have 1) some depth (love the add of the 2 UDFA QB's to compete as well) 2) We can see options for a more varied use of personnel groupings. We now have the talent to go 11, 12, 13, 21, 22 and even 23 personnel! I LOVE that (I hope SM does too). Bringing in O'Donnel to help keep SM more aware of things will help as well. To remind him to mix things up. So if my hunches are right .. this is why they have done what they have done and I'm all for it!

Thanks for listening. Peace

 

[dolphinlover123]

2020 NFL Draft Prospect RB Cam Akers

A do it all back with an arsenal of offensive weapons

www.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.

The loser of this pick is clearly Johnny Hekker. Akers is going to take his emergency QB duty.

 

[Merlin]

As to the first part, we usually send those guys to the State of Michigan in exile....As to Offensive Line, that will be the key. I can't help to think that they said to Cam Akers...."You think you couldn't run behind Florida State's Offensive Line, wait until you try to run behind ours."

I had Dobbins really high, all BS aside. But yeah I'm willing to recognize maybe I underestimated Akers and that maybe being able to make chicken salad out of chickenshit was attractive to the Rams given they knew they were gonna stand pat on the OL.

 

[JonRam99]

Running style is very Leveon Bell. Patient and then burst.

I think this is an important skill we need to have in a RB. In 2019 the holes were there, but TG couldn't cut back to take advantage of them, just tried to go outside all the time usually running straight into knot of linemen. And I don't know why everyone dogs DH, I saw a lot of potential, he & Akers will make a great combo, both have 3 down potential.

 

[MadGoat]

I had Dobbins really high, all BS aside. But yeah I'm willing to recognize maybe I underestimated Akers and that maybe being able to make chicken salad out of chickenshit was attractive to the Rams given they knew they were gonna stand pat on the OL.

I had Dobbins in front of Akers, but I also was starting to lean more towards Akers as the draft got closer.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I can't locate it now, but there's a CA highlight reel out there that starts off with him one-handing a catch in the endzone, throwing passes with precision, and reaching the ball way out in one hand to break the plane with what seems like a very sure grip. Plus I hear he can block. McSnead knows what to look for in players.