Cam Akers Injury Fallout

Training Camp week didn’t open up without a big blow to the Rams and the fantasy players. It was reported that second year running back, Cam Akers, has

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suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, ending his 2021 season. While I was lower on Akers than the consensus for this upcoming season, there is no doubt that this injury has some serious fantasy implications to those leagues that have already drafted. Many believed Akers had RB1 appeal for this upcoming season, based on how he finished last season, and his playoff performance. Before I continue, of course I want to wish Akers a speedy recovery and well wishes. Apparently some people take offense to discussing a player’s injury and the fantasy implications as a sign of being inconsiderate. Moving on.

The easy move to losing Akers, would be that third-year running back, Darrell Henderson, would be the next in line to shoulder the load. As someone that really likes Henderson, there certainly are questions about whether or not he could handle that workload. Knowing how McVay and his staff like to work, Henderson may be given the opportunity as the “lead” back, but make no mistake about it, others will be involved as well. Henderson just doesn’t slot right into the ranking(s) previously held by Akers, just by default. I for one, had Akers ranked as RB15 prior to the injury news, and with latest projections, Henderson sits at RB22 for now. Things can happen quickly in the NFL, but for right now, it seems as if Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, and Raymond Calais will be the other backs involved.

Jones is a second- year undrafted free agent out of SMU, but don’t let his draft stock (or lack thereof) fool you. He was the 2019 top scorer in the NCAA with 25 total touchdowns. Jones was the leading rusher for SMU in 2017 with 182 carries, 1075 yards and 9 touchdowns. The following season, Jones was dealing with some injuries, which led to him taking a backseat to Braeden West and Ke’Mon Freeman. Being fully healthy in 2019, Jones dominated the SMU backfield with 244 carries, which resulted in 1275 yards to go along with the aforementioned 25 touchdowns. Jones has adequate size and power, with a little one-cut shiftiness in him, but lacks breakaway speed and shouldn’t be much of a factor in the passing game.

Jake Funk was hampered by injuries at Maryland, in fact he suffered two ACL tears to the same knee. A seventh round pick in the past draft, chances are we won’t be finding Funk as the lead guy anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have a role. While it may not be right away, Funk could definitely carve out that third-down role at some point during the season.

Raymond Calais was a seventh-round pick of the Cardinals last season, and is now currently on the Rams. Calais lacks ideal size and hasn’t been used much in the passing game. In addition, Calais doesn’t offer anything in terms of pass-blocking, basically all but taking him off the field on third downs. If he makes the Rams team, he’ll probably be used as a gadget guy, and is the one guy that I wouldn’t bother making a play for in your leagues.

Of course there is always the possibility that the team brings in someone from the outside. Their former star, Todd Gurley, is currently a free agent, even though he is only a shell of what he was while with the Rams. Le’Veon Bell is also a free agent, and while he hasn’t been good since leaving the Steelers, I do think he has something left in the tank. Duke Johnson may be the only other free agent running back that they can bring in through the free agency route. There are always surprise cuts during the training camp period and a possible trade can take place as well. Possible options that could become available include (via trade or release):

Impact Guys

David Johnson
Marlon Mack
Ronald Jones
James Robinson
Devin Singletary
Sony Michel
Darrel Williams
Kerryon Johnson

Role/depth guys

Ty Johnson/Josh Adams / La’mical Perine
Mark Ingram
Trayveon Williams
Justice Hill
D’Ernest Johnson
Kalen Ballage
Darrynton Evans
Royce Freeman
Joshua Kelley

We may not have an answer as to whether or not the Rams will bring someone in until late in the summer, so if you’re drafting and a move has not been made, work as though Darrell Henderson will be getting the first crack. Xavier Jones will be the “handcuff” to Henderson, while Funk could have the 3rd down role. Henderson’s ADP is already sky-rocketing, so his price point may be a bit too steep at draft time, which would make Funk the guy I would be looking at as a “dart-throw” type pick.