Are the Los Angeles Rams suddenly losing trade suitors for Cam Akers?
Early on Monday, October 24, Akers was considered a potential solution for the suddenly running back-needy New York Jets in the wake of rookie Breece Hall‘s torn ACL in Week 7. However, the Jets have since decided to trade for Jacksonville Jaguars RB James Robinson.
BREAKING: Jaguars trading RB James Robinson to the Jets. (via @RapSheet)
Akers’ name also was linked to the Denver Broncos, who could’ve swapped him for former two-time Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon. But the Broncos wound up plucking 28-year-old Marlon Mack from the San Francisco 49ers‘ practice squad on October 24.
Is anyone willing to snatch Akers via trade? And who could come in as a replacement if Akers gets dealt?
Trade ideas might be becoming more diluted. However, one former Pro Bowler has been mentioned as a trade possibility. And there are analysts who are urging the Rams to inquire.
Former 1,000-Yard RB Possibly on the Move?
Some journalists have urged the Rams to inquire about Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt, who is officially on the block, according to an October 24 tweet by Brad Stainbrook of 247 Sports’ Orange and Brown Report.
“I’m told this isn’t just a ‘we listen to everything,’ Stainbrook wrote.
WKYC’s Ben Axelrod floated the idea giving Hunt a new home. “Can I interest you in a gently used Kareem Hunt @RamsNFL?” he tweeted October 24 in response to a report that the Rams had pursued Christian McCaffrey before he was eventually dealt to the 49ers for a second-, third- and fourth-round pick in 2023 and a fifth-rounder in 2024.
And Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer urged a trade, too.
“Time for Browns to trade Kareem Hunt to the Rams. If they don’t it is front office malpractice,” he tweeted on October 23.
Time for #Browns to trade Kareem Hunt to the Rams. If they don’t it is front office malpractice.
Cory Kinnan of USA Today’s Browns Wire cited the Rams as one of four teams whom the Browns “could call.”
“It is apparent the Rams are desperate for a running back as they actively look to move former second-round running back Cam Akers,” Kinnan wrote October 24. “This makes Los Angeles and their tendency to swap out draft picks for a ‘win now’ move a clear candidate for the services of Hunt. While the Rams have been slow out of the gate after a Super Bowl-winning season in 2021, they remain just a game behind the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West.”
Kinnan added: “The addition of Hunt into their offense, even if it is just for 10 games or less, could help the Rams get back in position to jumpstart their repeat campaign.”
Hunt, 27, has just nine rushing attempts in his past two games as the Browns have favored Nick Chubb to carry the ball. He was the NFL’s leading rusher and a Pro Bowler in 2017, his rookie year, but has not come close to matching that production. He is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
The Rams possibly pursuing the 1,327-yard rusher from the ’17 season can help make up for not adding Christian McCaffrey, who the Rams were revealed to be one of the final two pursuers of the 2019 All-Pro.
Any Roadblocks in Trying to Land Hunt?
One reason the Rams failed to land McCaffrey was their unwillingness to part with a fourth-round draft pick. According to Stainbrook, the Browns might want similar compensation for Hunt.
“I think the Browns want a 4th[-round pick],” Stainbrook tweeted. “Hard to see them getting that.”
I think the Browns want a 4th. Hard to see them getting that.
The Browns could end up settling for something less than a fourth-round pick if they deal away Hunt. Or they could pull an even swap for Akers, whose $1.2 million base salary is not far from Hunt’s $1.35 million. However, Hunt is owed $6.25 million total.
Either way, the list of teams likely willing to trade for Akers is shrinking. He is not expected to suit up when the Rams return to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, October 30.
Sean McVay says it’s “more than likely” Cam Akers will NOT play for the Rams this weekend even if he’s still on the team because LA can’t trade him. They haven’t decided if Cam will work out on his own or with the team this week, but sounds more likely he won’t be around.
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Rams Being Urged to Take In $12 Million Ex-Pro Bowler Via Trade