Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) and linebacker E.J. Speed (45) during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings appear to have a new RB2.
Recent trade newcomer Cam Akers, listed as the Vikings’ RB3 heading into Sunday Night Football, took the bulk of RB2 snaps in Minnesota’s 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts, a sign that Akers will receive more touches on offense henceforth.
If the trend continues, previous RB2 Ty Chandler could experience a de facto demotion to RB3.
In the 2nd Half against the Colts, after Minnesota had taken the lead following a lackluster 1st and 2nd Quarter, Akers entered the game in relief of Aaron Jones, the RB1, and played phenomenally for a drive. All told, Akers tabulated 53 yards on 8 touches, an impactful stat line as Minnesota needed one of its runners to move the sticks with a lead. Akers did precisely that.
The Vikings found Akers via trade in mid-October — about 13 months after trading for the same guy during the 2023 season. Back in September 2023, Akers lived on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster, and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah swung a low-risk trade for him to help kickstart an ailing ground game. Fast forward to 2024, and Adofo-Mensah fired off a similar trade with the Houston Texans for Akers, though the rushing attack was not struggling.
Akers joined Minnesota this go-round as RB2-RB3 insurance in case something injury-wise happened to Jones, whose one weakness in the NFL is durability.
So far, the trade experiment has paid off, and one needs no more evidence than Akers’ production to help close out Indianapolis on Sunday Night Football. Akers is an adept blocking running back, too — probably why he’s scaling the depth chart to RB2. Chandler is not known for blocking.
For now, this is the apparent RB depth chart for Minnesota:
Akers said after Minnesota’s Sunday night dub, “It was a blessing. It all started with the line. When I got the ball, it was open space. When you play running back, that’s the dream. It’s easy to do your job.”
The Vikings hit the road this weekend for a date with the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, a franchise likely on the cusp of firing its head coach, Doug Pederson. Jacksonville ranks 32nd per EPA/Play on defense, so, in theory, Akers and his pals should feast in Florida.
Minnesota is an early 4.5-point favorite for the Jacksonville showdown.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.