Instant analysis of Rams picking RB Cam Akers at No. 52 overall

The Rams went outside the box and took Cam Akers at No. 52 overall.

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There was always a chance the Los Angeles Rams would take a running back on Day 2 of the draft. It’s just that no one expected it to be Cam Akers at No. 52 overall. Yet, with J.K. Dobbins still on the board, that’s exactly who the Rams selected.

It was a stunner, but with the unpredictability that always comes with the Rams, it should’ve been somewhat expected. Les Snead and Sean McVay often prioritize value over positional need, and that’s what they did here.

They could’ve taken an offensive lineman or pass rusher, or even wide receiver Denzel Mims. But they passed up those options in favor of Akers, who analysts projected to go in the late second or early third round.

Akers is a good player, even if his stats don’t show it. He never had a season at Florida State with more than 1,200 yards rushing and averaged 4.9 yards per carry in three seasons. But he was running behind a terrible offensive line with absolutely no help around him on offense.

What Akers does well is run through contact despite being on the smaller side. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged 3.91 yards after contact per attempt, which was among the best of all running backs in this draft class.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to Duke Johnson and had a second-round projection on Akers. Here’s what Zierlein wrote about Akers in his scouting report.

He runs with tempo and flow but alters his rush track at a moment’s notice when needed. He is elusive but lacking the instant burst of a slasher capable of stacking long runs in a single game. Akers has above-average open-field vision once he’s into the second level and looks to run through the tackler’s pads as a finisher.

The issue with this selection isn’t necessarily the player, but the position. The Rams already have Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown on the roster, and they appeared ready to handle the workload left behind by Todd Gurley.

They’ll still get their share of carries, but Akers will undoubtedly eat into their touches, too. That’s part of the problem with this pick, though. Akers won’t be a full-time player, which the Rams could’ve had at No. 52 overall with someone such as Josh Uche, Lloyd Cushenberry or Willie Gay Jr.