The Rams used their first draft pick this year on running back Cam Akers, selecting him 52nd overall in the second round. Here are five things you should know about the former Florida State standout.
1) Former high school quarterback
Across four years at Clinton (Miss.) High, Akers racked up 5,103 rushing yards and 71 rushing touchdowns plus 8,140 passing yards and 78 passing touchdowns.
His senior season alone, he passed for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns with only six interceptions and added 2,105 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground.
Recruiting analysts viewed him as a better prospect as running back, though, giving him a 5-star evaluation. ESPN (No. 9), 247Sports (No. 7), Rivals (No. 3) and Scout.com (No. 3) all viewed him as one of the Top 10 players and a top-five running back in the 2017 class.
2) Dominant at a young age
According to this 2016 story from the Clarion Ledger, it was evident early on that Akers was far more athletically gifted than his peers.
It especially showed at age 12, when he ran for six touchdowns in a single game and finished with 36 on the season.
3) Opponents had a hard time bringing him down
If his high school numbers weren't enough of an indication, 3.9 of his 4.9 yards per carry last season occurred after contact per scouting service Pro Football Focus.
Collectively, 904 of Akers' 1,144 rushing yards (79 percent) last season occurred after contact.
4) Departed Florida State as one of the best running backs in program history
Akers had a decorated career as a Seminole, highlighted by joining Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook as the only players in program history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
He also owns the third-highest average rushing yards per season in program history (958.0) and scored the sixth-most points by a non-kicker (206).
5) One of 10 rookies with the best team fits
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks compiled a list of the top 10 rookie-team fits after the draft, and Akers checked in at No. 4:
"The Florida State standout is a perfect match for Sean McVay's zone-based running game as a one-cut runner with body control, balance and burst," Brooks wrote. "Akers quietly put together a pair of 1,000-yard seasons behind a suspect offensive line due to his creativity, toughness and stamina. With the Rams, he steps into a better situation with a scheme that suits his talents and a coach looking to reclaim his title as one of the game's best play designers. If the Rams also tap into his explosive skills as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, particularly in the screen game, Akers could quickly become a household name as one of the best young running backs in football."
