Running back Cam Akers has a new home.
The former Los Angeles Rams running back got traded to the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday for a swap of conditional draft picks, giving Akers a fresh start for the final year of his rookie contract.
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Akers has rushed for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also won a Super Bowl with the Rams in February 2022.
While Akers scored a touchdown for the Rams and rushed for 29 yards in a Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks, he was inactive this past Sunday and wound up being traded on Wednesday to the Vikings.
Who won the Akers trade between the Vikings and Rams? Well, let’s break it down.
The details
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, here’s the compensation for both parties.
Rams get: conditional 2026 pick
Vikings get: RB Cam Akers, 2026 conditional seventh-round pick
Comp update: Rams are trading running back Cam Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2023
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams had already transitioned running back Kyren Williams to be the starter in their rotation this season before Akers was traded, so this move feels like more of a formality at this point.
A swap of conditional draft picks in 2026 would hint that a release was not at all out of the question, so it was better that the Rams get something as opposed to just letting a talented player like Akers go outright.
It’s a tough way for Akers’ time in Los Angeles to end, but this must’ve just been what was possible for compensation in a trade like this.
It’s good to see that the Rams sent Akers to a coaching staff that has some experience with utilizing his talents, so they did do right by their former rusher. That has to count for something.
Now, they’ll just have to hope that Williams, 2023 draft pick Zach Evans and 2022 UDFA Ronnie Rivers can give the Rams the running back rotation they need to keep pace in the NFC West.
Trade grade: B
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings didn’t waste a lot of time finding a solution to their struggles on the ground, adding Akers to back up Alexander Mattison.
Mattison only has 62 yards rushing this season, so Akers might even have a chance to supplant him on the depth chart if he comes on strong post-trade. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell knows Akers from the former’s days as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, so the familiarity there will certainly help.
For a conditional draft pick swap in 2026, the Vikings have added a proven talent to the running back room with actual experience with O’Connell’s offense. For a team at a disappointing 0-2 record, this is actually a savvy fix that could help the Vikings’ offense be more varied this season.
It’s a pretty great move all around and one that could be meaningful right away. Akers will be a free agent in the spring, but a successful fall in Minnesota could inspire him to quickly re-sign with the Vikings.
Trade grade: A
