2020 NFL Draft: Pay more attention to Florida State RB Cam Akers

He flies under the radar in the 2020 NFL Draft running back class, but another big week proves Cam Akers should be on your radar.

Everyone knows that the potential for the 2020 NFL Draft running back class is sky-high. When Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift, Travis Etienne and J.K. Dobbins leading the way, it’s already stacking up well. But, the class also has the potential to be very deep, and Florida State running back Cam Akers is a big reason why.

Akers doesn’t get the hype that the top four do, but it’s about time he starts to. On Saturday against Syracuse, Akers ran for 144 yards on just 20 carries and found the end zone four times. His 7.2 yards per carry was his second-best total on the season, and he now has 100 yards in five of his eight games this season. He is putting up these numbers despite a poor cast around him, from the offensive line to the quarterback position.

As his game on Saturday showed, Akers is a name to take very seriously for the 2020 NFL Draft. He was highly rated out of high school, and logged over 1,000 yards rushing as a true freshman. He struggled a bit as a sophomore but has bounced back in his junior season. Akers should hit the 1,000-yard mark in his next game and is back to averaging over five yards per carry.

When it comes to his traits, we see the development from Akers in his junior campaign. He is running angry this season and is churning out yards after contact between the tackles. Akers has very good movement laterally, and he sets up defenders and makes them miss with ease. He also shows that extra gear in space and can finish on long runs with the speed. There’s also been obvious development in his ability to recognize the blitz and pick up defenders in pass protection.

With all that talent and improvement, teams should be looking at Akers as a possible value selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He undoubtedly should be on the radar of teams on Day 2.