The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Florida State running back Cam Akers:
What he can do
– Looks like a prototype at running back. Well-proportioned 217 pounds. Big ball of lean muscle
– Rushed for almost 2,900 and 27 scores in only 25 collegiate starts
– Instant accelerator. Had a 1.47-second 10-yard split at the combine, per Dane Brugler. Insane quickness. Hits the alley and he’s gone
– Created a ton of plays and yards for himself
– Glider in the open field, a little like Aaron Jones. The movement looks so free and easy, even if he isn’t a burner over long distances
– Great feet. Sets up blocks with lateral cuts and makes people miss in the open field with natural elusiveness. Forced 76 missed tackles in 2019, per PF
– Rips through arm tackles as he slashes through the hole. Legs and core are strong. So many linebackers and defensive backs got cut up as he darted into the second level. Better hit him square or he’s not going down
– Natural feel for finding space. Creativity as a runner is a huge plus. Often had to manufacture escape routes behind shaky offensive line
– Bad reps looked like a result of either too much urgency or too much patience. Inconsistent reading the action in front of him. To be fair, little was ever consistent or clean upfront for the Seminoles
– Fumbles could be an issue. Put the ball on the ground 10 times
– Teams are going to love his ascending ability in pass pro. Really seems to embrace the challenge. Three-down player all the way at the next level
– Was a problem for defenses on screens. Patience and vision really come together here
– Experience catching passes in the flat and on angle routes out of the backfield. Hands are OK
– Comfortable running out of the shotgun. Ran some wildcat
How he fits
Imaging a long-term combination of Akers and Aaron Jones in the backfield is certainly appealing, especially for a team with an aging veteran quarterback and a scheme designed around the constant threat of a slashing zone running attack. Akers isn’t unlike Jones, given his darting quickness to the second level and easy, gliding running style. Redundancy here would be fine, especially with Jones, Jamaal Williams and Tyler Ervin all scheduled to be free agents after the 2020 season. Akers can create for himself and he’ll add value in the passing game, elevating his potential to be an impactful player at the next level. Finding ways to keep him involved won’t be difficult. After dealing with the dumpster fire in Tallahassee, there’s a good chance he’ll be even better in the pros with a legitimate supporting cast around him. He fits as both as a primary runner and as part of a tandem.
NFL comp
Brugler and NFL.com both like Akers as a super-charged version of Duke Johnson. I anticipate Akers having a more productive NFL career.
Where Packers could get him
Day 2. Even if a running back doesn’t go in the first round, a half-dozen or so could go in the second or third round. Akers should be part of that group. He’s a top-100 player. In terms of the talent, getting Akers at the end of the third round would be terrific value.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike