What to make of the Rams backfield in 2020 | Yahoo Fantasy Football Podcast
Yahoo Sports fantasy expert Liz Loza and footballgameplan.com founder Emory Hunt discuss whether Los Angeles Rams RBs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. are worth fantasy draft picks in 2020.
Video Transcript
LIZ LOZA: In terms of fantasy, the rookies that normally produce most immediately are running backs. So we're gonna start with that. I don't want to talk about Clyde Edwards-Helaire because it has been talked enough, and obviously, he's attached to an absolutely fire offense. So let's talk about maybe that next tier of players.
I ran on my Instagram a would you rather-- who would you rather draft competition between Cam Akers, now of the Rams, or D'Andre Swift. And I do think, in terms of volume, the Q's of the Detroit coaching staff are saying that Swift should see more volume. So in terms of fantasy production, I imagine that the volume will lean in Swift's way. It would not surprise me to see Cam Akers overtake the Rams backfield because he is, I think, a special player.
EMORY HUNT: The only thing I worry about with Cam Akers is the fact that he has to beat out Darrell Henderson, who is legit special. You talk about someone that could hit the home run from anywhere on the field, that's Henderson. And now that he gets that opportunity to be the lead dog in that backfield, or at least right out of the gate, that's the one that is gonna keep those other backs at bay. What Akers brings to the table is the fact that he's versatile.
Akers is a much better receiver out of the backfield so he gives you that element. But Henderson is the one that's gonna ring that cash register up pretty quickly 'cause Henderson is a dog. And Henderson is explosive, he's dynamic. You talk about someone in college that averaged, what, almost 9 yards a carry. And you don't even do that in practice when they let you run past people. You know, it's-- this dude is, like, a gamebreaker. And Henderson is probably one that not a lot of people are talking about, to be honest.
LIZ LOZA: But when you're looking at-- I mean, everything you're saying is spot-on. It's just that when you look at what the Rams had in draft capital in 2020, they went and spent it on a running back. And if Henderson were as seemingly special-- and I wrote plenty of glowing scouting reports on him, you know, heading into the 2019 season-- then I wonder why the team would make that decision. And you are right, like, my first two adjectives describing Cam Akers-- I just pulled up my notes-- are acrobatic and shifty. He does have that versatility that you're talking about, the pass-catching ability.
Obviously, Todd Gurley being missing, like, they wanted to fill shoes. But now they have real, real depth. Do you think it'll be a 60-40 split, a 30-30-40 split? How would you break it down between the three backs in terms of percentage?
EMORY HUNT: You see who the Rams quarterback is? That--
LIZ LOZA: I mean, I can't miss it. I live in LA.
EMORY HUNT: --and listen, and that's why they spent what they spent on a running back. When Goff was adequate and looked confident, they went to the Super Bowl. And it was because they had that strong run game. And so last year, they didn't, and he fell apart. You know, his statistics looked OK but he didn't play the same. So that's why I thought they invested in the backfield.
And they invested in the backfield like people do at receiver. Because if you look at their receiving corps, they're stacked too. You know, they can go seven deep at wide receiver. They go three deep now at tight end with Brycen Hopkins. So they're gonna always stockpile talent, skill talent. And if I had to break it down, I think it'll be 60-40 with Henderson and also Akers. The good part is you have guys that don't need volume. When you look at--
LIZ LOZA: That's true.
EMORY HUNT: --a Malcolm Brown, he needs volume to be successful. He's a old-school high-formation back that needs volume. But these other two guys are, we call it spot starters, they can come in right away cold, get carries, and be explosive. So I think that's why you're gonna see both have success.
But I'm gonna gamble more on Henderson because of his breakaway speed, his explosive ability. And we know the Rams run that outside zone well. And Henderson just needs a sliver of a lane and it's off to the races.
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