Post by Purple Pain on Oct 16, 2024 13:25:47 GMT -6
Purple Insider:
Vikings trade for RB Cam Akers
The Vikings shored up the running back room by trading a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft for Cam Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh from the Houston Texans.
Whether the move is to immediately provide depth because Aaron Jones may need a few weeks to fully heal from his hip injury or if last week’s game against the Jets was a wakeup call that they needed when it came to the running back depth, Akers adds some important elements to the backfield. First, experience in the system. He has been in the McVay system since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. Last year he spent part of the season with Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings before injuring his Achilles in Week 9 against the Falcons and missing the remainder of the year. There shouldn’t be much learning curve and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him play right away.
Akers is an excellent pass protector. In 85 career snaps in pass pro, he has allowed only five QB pressures and in his highest usage season (2022), he graded 73.9 by PFF in pass blocking, fourth best among RBs with more than 30 blocking snaps.
He was effective out of the backfield in the passing game, catching 11 passes on 12 targets for 70 yards as a Viking last season.
More than anything, Akers brings an edge. He plays with a physical toughness that is similar to Aaron Jones, where he can blast forward in short yardage situations or get a few extra yards when opponents think they have him down. Per PFF, he averages 2.6 yards after contact this year and has forced 10 missed tackles on 40 attempts.
Where will Akers fit in? When Jones is healthy, he gives O’Connell another option outside of speedster Ty Chandler. He can mix and match depending on the situation. If Jones is resting for a series and they need a third-and-long pass protector, Akers can handle that. If they are looking for an explosive first-and-10 run, Chandler might get the call.
Before the Jets game, Jones was on pace to carry the football more than 270 times this year. That would have been his career high. Since the Vikings have plans to play into January, they will need the freshest version of Jones that they can possibly get. That would have been very hard to achieve if they were only leaning on Chandler. And if Jones does miss games, the Vikings should still be able to run the ball effectively. Akers still has burst despite his injury history and has averaged 5.1, 4.1 and 4.7 yards per carry in three games where he got significant work that weren’t against the Vikings’ stout defense.
Since the Vikings have traded for him twice, it’s clear that O’Connell really appreciates what Akers brings to the table — and he said as much when the Vikings faced the Texans earlier this year.
“I love Cam Akers,” O’Connell said. “I got a chance to be around him from his first day being an NFL player, coming off an unbelievable career at Florida State. Cam is a unique, special, and talented person. To deal with the type of adversity he has in his young career and never once have you ever heard him feel sorry for himself. Incredibly tough player, both mentally and physically. The Houston Texans having Cam Akers makes him a player we've got to focus on regardless of what the depth chart looks like going into the game because I know exactly what Cam Akers is and what he's capable of on any Sunday in the National Football League. I am looking forward to seeing him, I have a great relationship with him, and care about him tremendously.”
Overall the Vikings could have looked for other trade options in the backfield but Akers came at virtually no cost, allowing them to use their remaining draft capital for other deals if they choose. Is this the only move or just the start? The trade deadline isn’t until November 5 but with trades involving Davante Adams and Amari Cooper, it’s clear that teams aren’t waiting until the last moment.
The Vikings shored up the running back room by trading a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft for Cam Akers and a 2026 conditional seventh from the Houston Texans.
Whether the move is to immediately provide depth because Aaron Jones may need a few weeks to fully heal from his hip injury or if last week’s game against the Jets was a wakeup call that they needed when it came to the running back depth, Akers adds some important elements to the backfield. First, experience in the system. He has been in the McVay system since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. Last year he spent part of the season with Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings before injuring his Achilles in Week 9 against the Falcons and missing the remainder of the year. There shouldn’t be much learning curve and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him play right away.
Akers is an excellent pass protector. In 85 career snaps in pass pro, he has allowed only five QB pressures and in his highest usage season (2022), he graded 73.9 by PFF in pass blocking, fourth best among RBs with more than 30 blocking snaps.
He was effective out of the backfield in the passing game, catching 11 passes on 12 targets for 70 yards as a Viking last season.
More than anything, Akers brings an edge. He plays with a physical toughness that is similar to Aaron Jones, where he can blast forward in short yardage situations or get a few extra yards when opponents think they have him down. Per PFF, he averages 2.6 yards after contact this year and has forced 10 missed tackles on 40 attempts.
Where will Akers fit in? When Jones is healthy, he gives O’Connell another option outside of speedster Ty Chandler. He can mix and match depending on the situation. If Jones is resting for a series and they need a third-and-long pass protector, Akers can handle that. If they are looking for an explosive first-and-10 run, Chandler might get the call.
Before the Jets game, Jones was on pace to carry the football more than 270 times this year. That would have been his career high. Since the Vikings have plans to play into January, they will need the freshest version of Jones that they can possibly get. That would have been very hard to achieve if they were only leaning on Chandler. And if Jones does miss games, the Vikings should still be able to run the ball effectively. Akers still has burst despite his injury history and has averaged 5.1, 4.1 and 4.7 yards per carry in three games where he got significant work that weren’t against the Vikings’ stout defense.
Since the Vikings have traded for him twice, it’s clear that O’Connell really appreciates what Akers brings to the table — and he said as much when the Vikings faced the Texans earlier this year.
“I love Cam Akers,” O’Connell said. “I got a chance to be around him from his first day being an NFL player, coming off an unbelievable career at Florida State. Cam is a unique, special, and talented person. To deal with the type of adversity he has in his young career and never once have you ever heard him feel sorry for himself. Incredibly tough player, both mentally and physically. The Houston Texans having Cam Akers makes him a player we've got to focus on regardless of what the depth chart looks like going into the game because I know exactly what Cam Akers is and what he's capable of on any Sunday in the National Football League. I am looking forward to seeing him, I have a great relationship with him, and care about him tremendously.”
Overall the Vikings could have looked for other trade options in the backfield but Akers came at virtually no cost, allowing them to use their remaining draft capital for other deals if they choose. Is this the only move or just the start? The trade deadline isn’t until November 5 but with trades involving Davante Adams and Amari Cooper, it’s clear that teams aren’t waiting until the last moment.
... and neither is this Chris guy.
