The Detroit Lions make no sense as a possible destination for Cam Akers

The Los Angeles Rams and Cam Akers are headed for a parting of ways, but the Detroit Lions just aren’t a logical destination for the young running back.

Amid what NFL Network has reported as “philosophical and football-related differences”, the Los Angeles Rams and running back Cam Akers are headed for a parting of ways.

According to Pro Football Talk, Akers was asked to stay away from the team late last week and did so when he wouldn’t have had to unless he was being disciplined. He of course did not play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Apart from any questions about what’s gone on with the Rams behind the scenes to get things to this point, a 23-year old running back with tread left on the tires could fetch something notable in a trade. Say a Day 2 draft pick? Or teams who may have any interest could just wait for the Rams to cut Akers, since things seem to be at a point of no return, as unlikely as it seems.

Detroit Lions are not a logical destination for Cam Akers

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has made a list of 10 logical landing spots for Akers. The 10 are split between “if released” and “if traded” for some important context. The Lions are in the “if traded” column, No. 4 in the countown from No. 7 to No. 1 on that segment of the list.

"For all D’Andre Swift’s talent, he’s yet to stay healthy headlining Detroit’s backfield, and Dan Campbell’s team is built to establish the run, thanks to both its personnel and coaching staff. Lions general manager Brad Holmes was the Rams’ director of college scouting when Los Angeles drafted Akers, and assistant GM Ray Agnew was also in the Rams’ front office at the time."

Swift has not been a picture of durability, that’s for sure. But Akers missed most of last season with a torn Achilles, making a quick recovery in time to have a solid role for the Rams in the playoffs. He was off to a poor start this year (3.0 yards per carry in five games) before the current situation surfaced publicly.

Akers has one significant productive run in his career. It was late in his rookie season (2020), when he averaged 4.3 yards per carry over his final six games–spanning the end of the regular season and two playoff games.

The long-time Rams’ ties of Lions general manager Brad Holmes and assistant general manager Ray Agnew make it easy to think the two sides can come together on any deal. And they did twice, very early after Holmes and Agnew came to Detroit. There was the deal sending Matthew Stafford to the Rams. and a bit later the Lions acquired defensive tackle Michael Brockers from them.

The Lions already have a third-year running back who has underachieved to this point in his career in Swift. He’s also shown himself to be a better, more dynamic player than Akers.

The Lions could have some level of interest in Akers, since nothing should be out of the question on a basic, granual level. But they just aren’t a logical destination for him, with far bigger needs than running back if they do make any trades before the Nov. 1 deadline.