Rams RB Cam Akers had a very slow start to the 2022 season, finding himself in Sean McVay’s dog house after seeing 50%+ of snaps just twice in his nine games played while also missing two games due to injury. However, that misfortune turned on a dime starting in Week 13, when Sean McVay handed the keys to the backfield to Akers for the first time last year.
Cam Akers took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring 13+ PPR points in five of his last six games to finish the 2022 season. In that span (Weeks 13-18), Akers ranked 3rd among all RBs in rush attempts, 1st in total rushing yards, and tied for 1st with Austin Ekeler in rushing touchdowns. He closed the 2022 season with three straight games of 100+ yards rushing, as well. He was also tied for 3rd with Najee Harris in missed tackles forced in that span with 24. However, one stat stood out in particular above the rest in that six-week span.
Akers had FULL CONTROL of the red zone and goal line carries on the Rams offense – so much so, that not a single other running back recorded a rush attempt inside the 20. Akers had 18 carries inside the 20, with six of those carries coming at the goal line (inside the 5). If Akers is able to hold onto his monopoly on those valuable touches, he absolutely has a chance to come through as a fantasy RB2 at the very least, even with just an early down/goal-line role.