The Minnesota Vikings are close to re-signing Cam Akers, pending a team physical, according to a July 2 post on ESPN’s league transaction wire.
Akers, a 2020 second-round choice of the Los Angeles Rams, was dealt to the Vikings two weeks into the 2023 season as the team wanted to strengthen its running game.
Akers, who was familiar with coach Kevin O’Connell from their time in Los Angeles, rapidly established himself. He had the most snaps (111) behind starter Alexander Mattison from Week 3 to Week 9 before rupturing his left Achilles tendon.
Akers tore his right Achilles in 2021, but he recovered in time to assist the Rams during their Super Bowl run.
He didn’t have the same explosiveness in the playoffs, but he handled leadback duties, carrying the ball 57 times for 172 yards rushing in four postseason games that year.
The 25-year-old showed to be a good runner, receiver, and blocker for the Vikings last season, but there will be greater competition for a job in the backfield in 2024.
After placing 29th in rushing yards last season, the Vikings released Mattison and signed Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Aaron Jones in March.
Akers was the No. 2 back when healthy last season, but the emergence of Ty Chandler late last season, as well as other issues in the running back room, signal Akers’ place may be in jeopardy.
The Vikings must keep Kene Nwangwu as their kick returner, as well as fullback C.J. Ham, who has shown to be a crucial cog in the Vikings’ attack.
Many roster projections show the Vikings keeping four backs (Jones, Chandler, Ham, and Nwangwu) on the 53-man roster.
This summer, roster places are in short supply, making it impossible to keep five running backs.
The Vikings will need to add a place to compensate for T.J. Hockenson, who is projected to miss a significant amount of time early in the season.
Other crucial positions with no apparent starting core, like as cornerback or defensive line, may require additional personnel to begin the season if a winner of those camp battles does not emerge in August.
Akers did not receive much free-agency attention following a second Achilles tear and might be a practice squad candidate if the Vikings cannot maintain five running backs on the first 53-man roster.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler produced his annual position rankings and discovered Jones outside the top ten running backs to start the season.
Fowler polled NFL executives, coaches, and scouts and named Jones an honorable mention. Each voter selected their top ten running backs, and the results are based on which players garnered the most votes, indicating that Jones made some voters’ top ten.
