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Cam Akers may be most overlooked running back in 2020 NFL Draft

By Connor Muldowney

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 26: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball during the game between the Syracuse Orange and the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL on October 26th, 2019. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 26: Florida State Seminoles running back Cam Akers (3) runs the ball during the game between the Syracuse Orange and the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL on October 26th, 2019. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Cam Akers played behind one of the worst offensive lines at Florida State but has as much talent as any running back in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

When Cam Akers committed to Florida State, he saw a future filled with success, potential College Football Playoff appearances and ACC titles behind a growing offensive line and elite head coach.

None of that happened.

During his first season, Akers rushed for 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.3 yards per carry while catching 16 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.

The five-star running back and No. 3 player in the entire 2017 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports’ composite rankings, had a bright future and he could do a little of everything. Florida State fans were essentially planning on his departure following his junior campaign and even though that became a reality, he did not have the ideal career in Tallahassee.

Jimbo Fisher made a controversial exit from the program at the end of the 2017 season, being replaced by Willie Taggart and a new offensive system.

Akers struggled, notching 706 rushing yards and six touchdowns while catching 23 passes for 145 yards and two more scores. His yards per carry dipped to 4.4.

And then the 5-foot-11, 212-pound former five-star bounced back as a junior despite playing behind one of the shakiest offensive lines in the nation.

In fact, Akers rushed for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns on 5.0 yards per touch. He also had a career-best 30 catches for 225 yards and four touchdowns. He showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and create something out of nothing behind the disaster in the trenches.

Akers decided that his time in Tallahassee was good enough to make the jump and while it should have yielded much better results and probably more on-field success, he has the potential to be an early-round pick. Smart general managers should consider him at the end of the first round.

Because of the fact that he played behind one of the worst offensive lines in the nation and was forced to use his athleticism and power to reach 5.0 yards per carry (which is considered decent, but not great, for a college starter), he is being overlooked by just about everyone. People are talking more about D’Andre Swift, Jonathan Taylor and JK Dobbins, but this is the exact type of running back you can’t sleep on.

If there’s an NFL team looking to roster a kid who could learn in year one and become the franchise running back in year two and beyond, that could very well be Akers.

Akers has the size, athleticism and power-running style that can make him a workhorse at the next level and the only major worry is his pass protection ability.

This kid will be a major steal on day two, barring a drastic stock rise.

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