Coming into the 2023 season, Cam Akers had some momentum to ride after a very strong finish to 2022 that saw him dominate the Rams backfield and finish among the league’s best in terms of fantasy production (RB4 overall in points over the last five weeks). While he certainly saw the volume on the ground in Week 1 (22 touches), it was the sudden emergence of Kyren Williams that limited Cam Akers in the Rams’ first game action of the season.
After having TOTAL control of the red zone and goal line touches down the stretch in 2022, Cam Akers lost it to Kyren Williams against the Seahawks in Week 1. Akers has just two red zone carries to Williams’ six and just one rushing touchdown to Williams’ two. Moreover, Williams looked much more dynamic with the ball in his hands, with Cam Akers trudging to an average yards per carry of an abysmal 1.32.
Akers playing behind another running back to open the season isn’t just any novel occurrence, either. Akers famously played behind Darrell Henderson in Week 1 of the 2022 season as well, and it looks like he could be in for more of the same treatment in 2023. Things could still tip in his favor, but the Rams leaned heavily on Williams and he delivered in a surprising 30-13 win over Seattle.