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For most experts and analysts, Cam Akers was left out of that top tier of running backs in this year’s draft class – a group that included Clyde Edwards-Helaire, J.K. Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor and D’Andre Swift.
All of those players except for Dobbins went ahead of Akers, and it’s possible the Rams viewed Akers as the best of the bunch. They were thrilled to come away with him at No. 52 overall, and Les Snead even said he and Van Jefferson were among the five players they coveted with that selection.
The Rams shared a behind-the-scenes view of the pre-draft conference calls held by Snead and scouts, and on one of them, scout Michael Pierce said Akers is a complete package at running back.
He even wouldn’t be surprised if Akers is more productive than Swift a few years from now.
“I really like him. if he’s there, I would love to have him on our team,” he said. “I think he can do it all. He can run inside, he can run outside, he can catch the ball well, he’s elusive. I think he’s the total package as a back and I wouldn’t be surprised if we look back a few years from now and say he’s more productive than Swift. He just does everything – he does everything well.”
"I think he’s a total package as a back."
Go inside the virtual draft meetings with Les + the scouts as we selected @thereal_cam3 out of @FSUFootball. pic.twitter.com/Smpnbraqx9
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 7, 2020
The Rams weren’t desperate for a running back despite the release of Todd Gurley, but Akers can step in right away as their workhorse and handle the bulk of the carries.
It remains to be seen how Los Angeles will handle the share of touches in the backfield with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown also available, but the team didn’t draft Akers in the second round for him to get five touches a game.
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