Draft Profile: Cam Akers

March 15, 2020 /
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 217lb
  • College: Florida State
  • Tape watched: Florida, Clemson, Virginia, NC State, Boise State
  • NFL Comparison: Kareem Hunt

Pros

  • Burst
    Cam Akers is lightning in a bottle when he sees an open hole. He is exceptional at keeping his pad level low while he accelerates through the line of scrimmage. Akers is able to change direction quickly because of his explosiveness as well.
Akers shows tremendous ability to recover from stumbling, and disappear through the line for a touchdown.
  • Speed
    Cam Akers has plenty of finishing speed. At times, he looks like the fastest player on the field, pulling away from secondaries and maintaining separation. Akers loses some steam around 50 yards, but often times it’s too late for the defense to bring him down.
  • Contact Balance
    Akers really shines in his ability to melt through contact and pick up bonus yards. He isn’t bothered with arm-tackles, and fights through leg contact. Cam Akers moves piles and is rarely stopped behind the line of scrimmage if he gets north-south.
  • Hands
    Increasing his number of receptions each year of college, Akers displays good hands in the receiving game. He possesses good football I.Q. in the passing game when given choice routes, exploiting matchups with linebackers. Akers should contribute well receiving the ball out of the backfield in the NFL.

Cons

  • Pass Protection
    As hot and cold as it gets, Akers struggled to find consistency during pass protections. Most of the time, he opted to cut block or throw a meaningless shoulder chip into pass rushers. There were times Akers set his feet, used his strong base, and maintained good blocking technique however. Consistency is key here with Akers, and could become a quality three-down back in the NFL if he finds some.
Akers struggles to identify his responsibility and gives a lackluster effort blocking.
This is a rep that will give GM’s hope that Akers can excel in pass protection. He sets up a great pad level, widens his base, and keeps his feet moving while he drives the defensive end out of the play.
  • Ball Security
    Fumbling ten times in three years, Akers will need to prove that franchises can trust him to hold onto the ball.
  • Vision
    Largely offensive-line struggles, but partly Akers responsibility, he is quick to bounce runs to the perimeter or he makes a cutback before the play develops. A good run game coordinator and NFL-caliber offensive line should help develop Akers into a better back.

Overview

Cam Akers spent his college career behind one of the nations’ worst offensive lines. Florida State wasted Akers’ career with a coaching carousel paired with disappointing results. His greatest football has yet to be played, and could become a top ten back in the NFL with his elite athleticism and skill set. He will bring a unique blend of power and speed to the next level.