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

[CGI_Ram]

Five things to know: Rams RB Cam Akers

www.therams.com

Five things to know about new Rams RB Cam Akers

The Rams used their first draft pick this year on running back Cam Akers, selecting him 52nd overall in the second round. Here are five things you should know about the former Florida State standout.

1) Former high school quarterback

Across four years at Clinton (Miss.) High, Akers racked up 5,103 rushing yards and 71 rushing touchdowns plus 8,140 passing yards and 78 passing touchdowns.

His senior season alone, he passed for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns with only six interceptions and added 2,105 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground.

Recruiting analysts viewed him as a better prospect as running back, though, giving him a 5-star evaluation. ESPN (No. 9), 247Sports (No. 7), Rivals (No. 3) and Scout.com (No. 3) all viewed him as one of the Top 10 players and a top-five running back in the 2017 class.

2) Dominant at a young age

According to this 2016 story from the Clarion Ledger, it was evident early on that Akers was far more athletically gifted than his peers.

It especially showed at age 12, when he ran for six touchdowns in a single game and finished with 36 on the season.

3) Opponents had a hard time bringing him down

If his high school numbers weren't enough of an indication, 3.9 of his 4.9 yards per carry last season occurred after contact per scouting service Pro Football Focus.

Collectively, 904 of Akers' 1,144 rushing yards (79 percent) last season occurred after contact.

4) Departed Florida State as one of the best running backs in program history

Akers had a decorated career as a Seminole, highlighted by joining Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook as the only players in program history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

He also owns the third-highest average rushing yards per season in program history (958.0) and scored the sixth-most points by a non-kicker (206).

5) One of 10 rookies with the best team fits

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks compiled a list of the top 10 rookie-team fits after the draft, and Akers checked in at No. 4.

"The Florida State standout is a perfect match for Sean McVay's zone-based running game as a one-cut runner with body control, balance and burst," Brooks wrote. "Akers quietly put together a pair of 1,000-yard seasons behind a suspect offensive line due to his creativity, toughness and stamina. With the Rams, he steps into a better situation with a scheme that suits his talents and a coach looking to reclaim his title as one of the game's best play designers. If the Rams also tap into his explosive skills as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, particularly in the screen game, Akers could quickly become a household name as one of the best young running backs in football."

 

[Legatron4]

Collectively, 904 of Akers' 1,144 rushing yards (79 percent) last season occurred after contact.

Holy shit.

 

[oldnotdead]

I was really happy they took Akers. I thought Dobbins, but that was because I thought he was the one most likely to drop to them. When they had to choose between Akers and Dobbins on draft day I was hoping it was Akers because IMO he's the most well rounded of the two and the better receiver. He has experience in pass protection as well. This was an outstanding choice and I know they took him first because I think the Rams had him rated higher and thought he might not drop that far. I had him going early in round two. But the run on WR's in the second round is why he dropped. I think the Rams knew that the depth in the WRs in the draft was good and not so much with RBs.

As it worked out I think the Rams got both of their top targets in the second round. I think in terms of talent Jefferson has mid to lower 1st round talent. What dropped him was his foot injury and no 40 time which worked in their favor. He's 100% or close to it now and should be no problem to play in September.

That second round was a great start for the Ram's draft. IMO this was a very good draft overall.

 

[Legatron4]

Holy shit.

FWIW, Todd Gurley had 374 yac in 2019. Putting him at 43%. He was at 49% in 2018.

 

[kurtfaulk]

FWIW, Todd Gurley had 374 yac in 2019. Putting him at 43%. He was at 49% in 2018.

just remember, there are more defenders that can tackle in the nfl than in college.

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[Legatron4]

just remember, there are more defenders that can tackle in the nfl than in college.

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Derrick Henry had 1268 yards after contact. Which comes out to an insane 82%. Gurley also had 1.7 YAC per attempt compared to Henry’s 4.1.

If Gurley was near the top in YAC, I would agree. But he’s a very middle of the pack runner when it comes to breaking tackles and creating runs out of nothing.

 

[Ram Ts]

It’s really interesting that Snead said in an interview that 10 Picks away, his internet went out and he told them Akers was the pick if he’s still there. So even with 42-51 still on board, that was the pick. I like that we got our guy. Just hope they are right.

 

[shovelpass]

Drafted rookie numbers are in.

 

[SuperMan28]

I wish you guys would have got Dobbins. Ravens got a big time steal with Queen at 28 and then slam dunked with Dobbins at 55. I'd love to know what the Rams saw in Akers that lead them to want him over Dobbins. I looked at a lot of position rankings at RB and dont recall seeing any that had Akers over JK.

 

[rams1fan]

I wish you guys would have got Dobbins. Ravens got a big time steal with Queen at 28 and then slam dunked with Dobbins at 55. I'd love to know what the Rams saw in Akers that lead them to want him over Dobbins. I looked at a lot of position rankings at RB and dont recall seeing any that had Akers over JK.

Watch the film on Dobbins. Does not create on his own. Needs big running lanes. Does not influence the backers on his own. He will do well in Baltimore where Lamar will do half his work. Most any back would succeed there.

Akers on the other hand can create on his own. And is far more advances in the passing game.

 

[Loyal]

I wish you guys would have got Dobbins. Ravens got a big time steal with Queen at 28 and then slam dunked with Dobbins at 55. I'd love to know what the Rams saw in Akers that lead them to want him over Dobbins. I looked at a lot of position rankings at RB and dont recall seeing any that had Akers over JK.

positional ranking created by whom? I'll take the opinion of Snead and our scouting department over sports reporters and Mel Kiper, in a heartbeat.
Akers can do it all, especially in pass-pro. I am stoked about Akers and am glad we got him over Dobbins. Akers may be the top rookie RB in the NFC this year, because the opportunity is wide open for him.

 

[SuperMan28]

positional ranking created by whom? I'll take the opinion of Snead and our scouting department over sports reporters and Mel Kiper, in a heartbeat.
Akers can do it all, especially in pass-pro. I am stoked about Akers and am glad we got him over Dobbins. Akers may be the top rookie RB in the NFC this year, because the opportunity is wide open for him.

Oh I hear ya. Brett Veach took Clyde Edwards-Helaire over De'Andre Swift. So it's kinda similar.

 

[norcalramfan]

Nice article from Turf Show Times, kinda long but shows insight as to why he chose FSU.

LA Rams 2020 draft: A look at Cam Akers as a 5-star high school recruit

What was and could have been for the newest Rams running back?

www.turfshowtimes.com

 

[Memento]

I wish you guys would have got Dobbins. Ravens got a big time steal with Queen at 28 and then slam dunked with Dobbins at 55. I'd love to know what the Rams saw in Akers that lead them to want him over Dobbins. I looked at a lot of position rankings at RB and dont recall seeing any that had Akers over JK.

Yeah, well, you got CEH. You don't get to talk.

Seriously, though, CEH is going to be a special back, especially with Mahomes.

 

[kurtfaulk]

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[Gandalf]

Watch the film on Dobbins. Does not create on his own. Needs big running lanes. Does not influence the backers on his own. He will do well in Baltimore where Lamar will do half his work. Most any back would succeed there.

Akers on the other hand can create on his own. And is far more advances in the passing game.

When you watch the videos, Dobbins rarely caught a pass and had lanes that a semi could drive through.

 

[ReddingRam]

If I am not mistaken this guy is a former High School Quarterback. Mcvay seems to really like guys that have formerly played the QB position.

I see many saying Akers was the #1 RB recruit coming out of HS. I'm pretty sure that fact is he was THE #1 recruit coming out that year.... not just RB. My son is a JUCO WR/ST'sCo'ord/Recruiting Coordinator and he told me he was the #1 player coming out his Sr, year.. be cause of both his passing and running.

 

[OttawaRamsFan]

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but does Akers have a number yet?

 

[den-the-coach]

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but does Akers have a number yet?

23.

Rams Players Roster | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com

 

[OttawaRamsFan]

23.

Rams Players Roster | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com

Awesome, thank you.