Rams Fans Will Love Sean McVay's Plan for Cam Akers

It took a good chunk of the season, but Cam Akers, the Los Angeles Rams’ second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, showed just how talented he is down the stretch of his rookie campaign. 

Akers, who started five of the 13 games he appeared in as a rookie, had 46 carries for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Rams’ postseason games last year. 

Those performances have left fans excited for what’s to come, and Akers is going to be in line for an even bigger role in 2021, according to head coach Sean McVay. 

“He’s obviously a great runner, but he’s got ability as a pass-catcher coming from the backfield, and we can displace him and put him in the slot or the outside receiver location,” McVay said. “There’s not any limitations, but we’ll see how it comes to life.”

Akers made just 11 catches as a rookie, but it appears that McVay is comfortable with his pass-catching ability despite the small sample size. 

For Rams fans, this is music to your ears. McVay’s plan for Akers sounds a lot like how the Rams used Todd Gurley during his time in Los Angeles, where he won an Offensive Player of the Year award and was a two-time All-Pro. 

The Rams are trying to get back to their winning ways with the addition of Matthew Stafford at quarterback. WynnBET currently has Los Angeles’ win total set for 10.5 games, but the under (-140) is the favorite to the over (+115). Stafford certainly could move that with his play, but Akers' development is also going to be key to the Rams’ success on offense in 2021.

Akers may not have been as highly touted as Gurley out of college, but he showcased that he can be a lead back in the NFL and was good enough that the Rams let Malcolm Brown walk in free agency this offseason. 

Akers is currently listed ahead of Darrell Henderson Jr. on the Rams’ depth chart, and it would be a shock if he wasn’t the favorite to lead them in touches out of the backfield in 2021.