Fantasy Stars & Studs, Week 13: Stafford a smart playoff waiver add

Cam Akers – Los Angeles Rams

After running for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Week 12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, rookie second-round pick Akers saw a significant uptick in carries as the Rams got back to winning ways and took the lead of the NFC West with victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Akers carried the ball 21 times for 72 yards, a mediocre average of 3.43 yards per carry, but found the endzone for the second time in as many weeks and also added a 22-yard reception, giving him a total of 16.4 points in PPR leagues.

The numbers may not blow anyone away, but it is the usage that makes Akers an enticing potential add for fantasy playoff teams eyeing a spark at running back.

Los Angeles has one of the most efficient running games in the NFL and, though he has shared time with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, Akers has shown he has the skill set to be a dynamic threat on the ground with his burst and speed in the open field.

And he has three enticing matchups on the docket in the coming weeks in the form of the New England Patriots, New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. Owned in only 53 percent of Yahoo leagues and 35 percent of ESPN leagues, Akers is a player whose potentially important role for the Rams down the stretch makes him deserving of waiver wire consideration.