Will there be any takers for Cam Akers?
The Akers-Rams partnership seems to be nearing its end, with Sean McVay making the fourth-year running back a healthy scratch for LA's Week 2 game vs. the 49ers. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer said as much on Sunday, reporting that the Rams will entertain a trade for Akers.
That shouldn't surprise many. Akers and the Rams seemingly haven't been on the best terms dating back to 2022, when McVay's questionable usage of the running back hit the forefront. Akers was also inactive for two matchups in the middle of the season as he was working through "personal" things.
MORE: Kyren Williams continues rise as fantasy sleeper
McVay said it was a coach's decision that led to Akers sitting out in Week 1. It may also be a coach's decision that Akers could be wearing a new uniform in short order.
If Akers does go, here are some teams that could trade a little bit of draft capital for the fourth-year back:
Cam Akers landing spots
Colts
With the Colts and Jonathan Taylor on the outs, it makes sense to beef up the running back room.
Head coach Shane Steichen came from Philadelphia, where there was an emphasis on the run; Philadelphia ended the 2023 season third in rushing attempts, fifth in yards and first in touchdowns.
They say a running game is a young quarterback's best friend, and though Anthony Richardson does plenty of running on his own, adding Akers to a room that's a bit thin (Zack Moss, Deon Jackson and Jake Funk are the 1 through 3) would certainly make sense. Plus, if fences are mended between Taylor and the Colts, a three-back room of Taylor, Moss and Akers would be very good.
Giants
Saquon Barkley has missed time with injury in three of the Giants' last four seasons, and he'll likely miss some time again with an ankle injury in Week 2. Behind Barkley is Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray. Breida has been around, but Brightwell and Gray have a combined 150 rushing yards to their names (Gray is a rookie).
The Giants have an opportunity to take advantage of a weak NFC this year, and to do that, they should be looking to make low-cost upgrades throughout the year. That means a trade for Akers to provide a 1-2 punch with Barkley at the top would be beneficial.
MORE: Saquon Barkley injury updates — Running back helped off field with ankle injury
Ravens
Losing J.K. Dobbins for the year is a tough blow for the new-look Ravens offense. Even if there's more of an emphasis on the pass over the run, Baltimore ranks third in the NFL in rushing attempts through two games, meaning it's not all bombs-away for Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens adding to their running back room would make sense with Dobbins out and the AFC North currently wide open.
Vikings
The Vikings have pieces, but the next months' worth of games will paint a clearer picture of who they are as a team in 2023. After winning 11 one-score games in 2022, they've regressed to the mean
That's a long way of saying they're a very iffy team right now. They can rebound from 0-2 against a pretty easy upcoming schedule — Chiefs and 49ers are their toughest opponents over their next six games — but they're going to need more from (and more than) Alexander Mattison to get there.
Dolphins
Miami is looking Super Bowl-run-ready and flirted with the idea of adding Jonathan Taylor in the weeks leading up to the season. That means that Mike McDaniel and Co. probably aren't thrilled with their running back room, which features Raheem Mostert and a few other JAGs.
Akers would slot alongside Mostert — take your pick of RB1 — and ahead of Salvon Ahmed and the rest of the room. That would add a lot more to their offense, which is heavy on the pass and less on the run.