{"id":118238,"date":"2021-07-21T06:59:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T10:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=118238"},"modified":"2021-07-21T06:59:18","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T10:59:18","slug":"darrell-henderson-cam-akers-long-term-fantasy-football-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/07\/21\/darrell-henderson-cam-akers-long-term-fantasy-football-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers Long-Term Fantasy Football Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"

Injuries suck. Los Angeles Rams<\/a> running back Cam Akers finished 2020 on a high note and was one of the biggest breakout candidates in fantasy football. Unfortunately, the former second-round pick tore his Achilles<\/a>, prematurely ending his season and leaving Darrell Henderson all alone in the Los Angeles backfield. Will Darrell Henderson be able to take over the Cam Akers role in fantasy football, and will Akers return to form in 2022?<\/p>\n

Fantasy Football Player Profiles<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

[pickup_prop id=”7179″]<\/p>\n

Fantasy Football: Projecting Darrell Henderson, Cam Akers Moving Forward<\/h2>\n

Darrell Henderson Fantasy Football Outlook<\/h3>\n

As mentioned in his fantasy football profile<\/a>, I had Cam Akers projected for 260 carries for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions for 320 yards. I believed Akers would receive 65-70% of the running back touches, but I expected the Rams overall rushing total to decrease thanks to a better quarterback and some defensive regression.<\/p>\n

In terms of market share, Henderson should step right into that bellcow role. Henderson might not be as talented as Akers, but he is considerably better than Xavier Jones and Jake Funk. ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter reports<\/a> that the Rams don\u2019t plan on signing another running back, which is obviously great for Henderson. However, even if they do, it\u2019s not like a 37-year old Adrian Peterson is going to demand too many touches.<\/p>\n

Talent gets a running back on the field, but it doesn\u2019t play too large of a role in what actually happens on running plays. Blocking and playcalling have a much larger effect on the success of a run play than the actual runner, so Henderson should produce similar results to Akers. After all, this very same team replaced prime Todd Gurley with a washed-up C.J. Anderson just three years ago, and the rushing attack didn\u2019t skip a beat.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/DLPatsThoughts\/status\/1352273000998039552?s=20<\/p>\n

Much like Akers, the biggest worry with Henderson is the lack of involvement in the passing game. The former third-round pick only recorded 16 receptions last year, and never had more than 24 receptions in his college career. Sean McVay\u2019s scheme doesn\u2019t target running backs, so he probably won\u2019t see too many pass-catching opportunities. Passing is king in fantasy football, especially in PPR formats, so this does put a cap on his ceiling.<\/p>\n

Final Projection: 245 carries, 1,105 yards, nine touchdowns | 35 receptions, 305 yards, one touchdown<\/em><\/p>\n

Cam Akers Long-Term Dynasty Outlook<\/h3>\n

Cam Akers will not see the field in 2021, but he will come back eventually. However, just because he comes back doesn\u2019t mean that he\u2019ll have the same explosion and burst that he used to. Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult for running backs, and history suggests he won\u2019t ever be the same.<\/p>\n

\n

Since it\u2019s Marlon Mack day, this is what I could find on recent Achilles tears for RBs. <\/p>\n

-11 total since 2010
-2 returned to play the following season (Hunter, Oliver)
-6 never saw an NFL touch again
-6 had 196+ touch season prior to tear
-0 had>85 touches in comeback year pic.twitter.com\/APXmi1phSl<\/a><\/p>\n

— Kyle_FFRecon (@Kyle_FFRecon) March 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n