Former Vikings RB Linked to Giants
The Minnesota Vikings open the 2024 regular season in 76 days at the New York Giants, and if one fringe theory is correct, the club could face an old friend out of the gate in Cam Akers.
Former Vikings RB Linked to Giants
The free-agent running back remains unsigned as of mid-June, recovering from a second Achilles tear, but could find a new team before too long.
According to Sportsnaut, Akers to the Giants could make sense. Jason Burgos wrote last week about Akers to The Big Apple, “Despite being a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Cam Akers never lived up to expectations with the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023 he had his worst season yet and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings midway through after issues with the organization came to a head.”
He also linked Matt Breida, Kareem Hunt, and Marlon Mack to the Giants.
“While his stats don’t jump off the page, without the hopes of a second-round pick hanging on him, he might be a perfect high-upside backup option for New York in 2024,” Burgos concluded.
Akers became a Viking via trade with the Los Angeles Rams last season after Alexander Mattison struggled out of the gate. He became an instant “locker room guy” and played quite well as an RB2-RB3. But in a game against the Atlanta Falcons — where Joshua Dobbs’ heroic tale began — Akers tore his Achilles, ending his 2024 campaign.
Still only 25, Akers hopes to give it another whirl in 2024 and beyond.
The Vikings, on the other hand, ranked 27th leaguewide per rushing DVOA in 2023, an underwhelming mark after emphasizing ground-game improvement all last offseason. Eyeing 2024, the Vikings will presumably prioritize improvement again in that aspect of the offense, adding Aaron Jones from the Green Bay Packers in March.
Regarding Akers to New York, this is the Giants’ RB depth chart as of June 24th:
- Devin Singletary
- Eric Gray
- Tyrone Tracy
- Jashaun Corbin
- Dante Miller
- Jacob Saylars
Looking at that list, it’s no wonder the Giants may be interested in more oomph. Unless Tracy blows folks away, the RB group is one of the worst in the NFL.
New York allowed Saquon Barkley to embark on free agency in March, where he promptly signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. It’ll pick up the pieces on offense without him this season for the first time since 2017.
The Giants already employ two former Vikings: Austin Schlottmann (C) and Benton Whitley (OLB).
Akers turned 25 over the weekend. The Giants are favored by a point to take down the Vikings in Week 1.
Meet the Vikings 7 New Starters for 2024
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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