Cam Akers Official Thread

[Cowboysfan33]

I’ll be interested to see how all of this plays out, the next couple of seasons. It will take that long before we really know anyway. Personally, I’m sure I will end up with shares of most of all these top players because I play in so many leagues. I’ll just have more/less of certain players. These rookie drafts are so loaded that I can’t wait to get to mine this year.

[mild]

I'm taking the top 5 RB's before any WR, BTW. Not a difficult decision, either.

Ditto. I've got pick 1 thru 4 and all will be RB. My only real decision is Akers vs Swift.

I find it hard to believe this is not a smash for Swift.

- is linked to a proper QB in Stafford who made something called "Theo Riddick" relevant as a receiving back
- Lions line is better than the Rams line, theoretically
- is far more advanced than Akers as a runner with the production to match
- Jared Goff

[Sriracha]

I'm taking the top 5 RB's before any WR, BTW. Not a difficult decision, either.

Ditto. I've got pick 1 thru 4 and all will be RB. My only real decision is Akers vs Swift.

I find it hard to believe this is not a smash for Swift.

- is linked to a proper QB in Stafford who made something called "Theo Riddick" relevant as a receiving back
- Lions line is better than the Rams line, theoretically
- is far more advanced than Akers as a runner with the production to match
- Jared Goff

Sean McVay vs Matt Patricia
Jared Goff (healthy) vs Stafford (oft injured as of late)
Darrell Henderson vs Kerryon Johnson

[Cameron Giles]

I'm taking the top 5 RB's before any WR, BTW. Not a difficult decision, either.

Ditto. I've got pick 1 thru 4 and all will be RB. My only real decision is Akers vs Swift.

I find it hard to believe this is not a smash for Swift.

- is linked to a proper QB in Stafford who made something called "Theo Riddick" relevant as a receiving back
- Lions line is better than the Rams line, theoretically
- is far more advanced than Akers as a runner with the production to match
- Jared Goff

I wouldn't jump the gun here. The Lions can cut Stafford next offseason and save $20M. It's probably something worth considering since their team sucks and he's expensive and in his mid 30's.

But, even without situation I'm taking Swft over Akers.

[TimeWillTell]

Ditto. I've got pick 1 thru 4 and all will be RB. My only real decision is Akers vs Swift.

I find it hard to believe this is not a smash for Swift.

- is linked to a proper QB in Stafford who made something called "Theo Riddick" relevant as a receiving back
- Lions line is better than the Rams line, theoretically
- is far more advanced than Akers as a runner with the production to match
- Jared Goff

Sean McVay vs Matt Patricia
Jared Goff (healthy) vs Stafford (oft injured as of late)
Darrell Henderson vs Kerryon Johnson

Zig points out the reasons it's a debate for me.

[Vcize]

I am not a big fan, but FFers are treating Jeudy/Lamb like they are much better NFL prospects than they are. The NFL is collectively "meh" on them. Good players, but much more in that range of NFL prospects that has had an absolutely absymal hit rate over the last 10 or so years than the really elite top 5 type guys.

Seriously? They were both top 20 picks, the NFL is most certainly not “meh” on them. The NFL collectively places very high value on all first round picks and tends to view them as franchise defining. Nobody is pretending they are Calvin or Andre Johnson.

There were quite a few people leading up to the draft talking about them being like the Julio/AJG combo of this class. They're not even Corey Davis/Amari Cooper caliber prospects.

The reality is these are Michael Floyd/Davante Parker caliber prospects (that's not to say they won't end up as better players) that happen to be the best guys in a deep but not-at-all top heavy class this year. And those kind of guys, 1st round WRs drafted outside the top 5, have an abysmal hit rate over the last 8 or 9 years.

[Cameron Giles]

There were quite a few people leading up to the draft talking about them being like the Julio/AJG combo of this class. They're not even Corey Davis/Amari Cooper caliber prospects.

The reality is these are Michael Floyd/Davante Parker caliber prospects (that's not to say they won't end up as better players) that happen to be the best guys in a deep but not-at-all top heavy class this year. And those kind of guys, 1st round WRs drafted outside the top 5, have an abysmal hit rate over the last 8 or 9 years.

If we do WR hits outside the Top 10 in the 1st round the last 10 years:

Dez Bryant
DeMaryius Thomas
DeAndre Hopkins
Brandin Cooks
Odell Beckham
D.J. Moore
Calvin Ridley
Will Fuller
DeVante Parker

Granted, that's 9 out of 24 possible, but not terrible odds.

If we do WRs drafted inside the Top 10 the last 10 years:

Amari Cooper
Mike Evans
AJ Green
Julio Jones

4 out of a possible 10.

I know you said Top 5, but just showing how easy it is to skew it since most of those busts have come from WRs towards the end of the Top 10 (White, Ross, Davis, Williams, Tavon)

[PR0v3]

I am not a big fan, but FFers are treating Jeudy/Lamb like they are much better NFL prospects than they are. The NFL is collectively "meh" on them. Good players, but much more in that range of NFL prospects that has had an absolutely absymal hit rate over the last 10 or so years than the really elite top 5 type guys.

Seriously? They were both top 20 picks, the NFL is most certainly not “meh” on them. The NFL collectively places very high value on all first round picks and tends to view them as franchise defining. Nobody is pretending they are Calvin or Andre Johnson.

There were quite a few people leading up to the draft talking about them being like the Julio/AJG combo of this class. They're not even Corey Davis/Amari Cooper caliber prospects.

The reality is these are Michael Floyd/Davante Parker caliber prospects (that's not to say they won't end up as better players) that happen to be the best guys in a deep but not-at-all top heavy class this year. And those kind of guys, 1st round WRs drafted outside the top 5, have an abysmal hit rate over the last 8 or 9 years.

I agree. The thing is, it’s the same deal with the RBs. Would you rather take your shot on a Floyd/Parker level WR prospect or a Ronald Jones/Yeldon level RB prospect? There are no elite RB prospects either.

[Sriracha]

Seriously? They were both top 20 picks, the NFL is most certainly not “meh” on them. The NFL collectively places very high value on all first round picks and tends to view them as franchise defining. Nobody is pretending they are Calvin or Andre Johnson.

There were quite a few people leading up to the draft talking about them being like the Julio/AJG combo of this class. They're not even Corey Davis/Amari Cooper caliber prospects.

The reality is these are Michael Floyd/Davante Parker caliber prospects (that's not to say they won't end up as better players) that happen to be the best guys in a deep but not-at-all top heavy class this year. And those kind of guys, 1st round WRs drafted outside the top 5, have an abysmal hit rate over the last 8 or 9 years.

I agree. The thing is, it’s the same deal with the RBs. Would you rather take your shot on a Floyd/Parker level WR prospect or a Ronald Jones/Yeldon level RB prospect? There are no elite RB prospects either.

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

[Jigga94]

There were quite a few people leading up to the draft talking about them being like the Julio/AJG combo of this class. They're not even Corey Davis/Amari Cooper caliber prospects.

The reality is these are Michael Floyd/Davante Parker caliber prospects (that's not to say they won't end up as better players) that happen to be the best guys in a deep but not-at-all top heavy class this year. And those kind of guys, 1st round WRs drafted outside the top 5, have an abysmal hit rate over the last 8 or 9 years.

I agree. The thing is, it’s the same deal with the RBs. Would you rather take your shot on a Floyd/Parker level WR prospect or a Ronald Jones/Yeldon level RB prospect? There are no elite RB prospects either.

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

Shhhh. CEH is 1.01... regardless of format and where JT landed. /s

[PR0v3]

There were quite a few people leading up to the draft talking about them being like the Julio/AJG combo of this class. They're not even Corey Davis/Amari Cooper caliber prospects.

The reality is these are Michael Floyd/Davante Parker caliber prospects (that's not to say they won't end up as better players) that happen to be the best guys in a deep but not-at-all top heavy class this year. And those kind of guys, 1st round WRs drafted outside the top 5, have an abysmal hit rate over the last 8 or 9 years.

I agree. The thing is, it’s the same deal with the RBs. Would you rather take your shot on a Floyd/Parker level WR prospect or a Ronald Jones/Yeldon level RB prospect? There are no elite RB prospects either.

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

It's hard for me to get on board with him being an elite prospect when he was the third drafted RB in his class and a 2nd round pick. Teams will take a RB #2 overall if the player is deemed worthy, and teams don't really pass on elite prospects for someone else at the same position just because of scheme fit. They normally take the elite prospect and adjust the scheme.

[M-Dub]

I agree. The thing is, it’s the same deal with the RBs. Would you rather take your shot on a Floyd/Parker level WR prospect or a Ronald Jones/Yeldon level RB prospect? There are no elite RB prospects either.

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

It's hard for me to get on board with him being an elite prospect when he was the third drafted RB in his class and a 2nd round pick. Teams will take a RB #2 overall if the player is deemed worthy, and teams don't really pass on elite prospects for someone else at the same position just because of scheme fit. They normally take the elite prospect and adjust the scheme.

Teams? As in, plural? Last I checked, Dave Gettleman is only allowed to run one franchise into the ground at a time.

[PR0v3]

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

It's hard for me to get on board with him being an elite prospect when he was the third drafted RB in his class and a 2nd round pick. Teams will take a RB #2 overall if the player is deemed worthy, and teams don't really pass on elite prospects for someone else at the same position just because of scheme fit. They normally take the elite prospect and adjust the scheme.

Teams? As in, plural? Last I checked, Dave Gettleman is only allowed to run one franchise into the ground at a time.

Cmon, many thought the Browns should have secured Barkley at #1 and their QB at #4. Top RB prospects get picked very early, and deep classes don't push everyone down (see: 2017). The NFL didn't suddenly wisen up on RB positional values this draft. If the right guy comes along, teams will throw the book out the window. JT may become that guy, but as a prospect he just isn't. There is more to prospect evaluation than 40 time, height/weight, and college stats.

[Jigga94]

I agree. The thing is, it’s the same deal with the RBs. Would you rather take your shot on a Floyd/Parker level WR prospect or a Ronald Jones/Yeldon level RB prospect? There are no elite RB prospects either.

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

It's hard for me to get on board with him being an elite prospect when he was the third drafted RB in his class and a 2nd round pick. Teams will take a RB #2 overall if the player is deemed worthy, and teams don't really pass on elite prospects for someone else at the same position just because of scheme fit. They normally take the elite prospect and adjust the scheme.

I don't see how being picked 8 spots apart can be the determining factor in whether he's an elite prospect. But CEH is an elite prospect because he was picked justttt as the 1st round expired? No one can say for sure, but it's possible IND had JT at the top of their board and would've taken him at 32 if they were there. They felt good enough to trade into the early 2nd to get JT though. It's splitting hairs. Really the whole argument is.

Big edit: you are saying there are 0 elite guys though... I can't argue that lol

[PR0v3]

Are we just going to ignore Jonathan Taylor?

It's hard for me to get on board with him being an elite prospect when he was the third drafted RB in his class and a 2nd round pick. Teams will take a RB #2 overall if the player is deemed worthy, and teams don't really pass on elite prospects for someone else at the same position just because of scheme fit. They normally take the elite prospect and adjust the scheme.

I don't see how being picked 8 spots apart can be the determining factor in whether he's an elite prospect. But CEH is an elite prospect because he was picked justttt as the 1st round expired? No one can say for sure, but it's possible IND had JT at the top of their board and would've taken him at 32 if they were there. They felt good enough to trade into the early 2nd to get JT though. It's splitting hairs. Really the whole argument is.

Big edit: you are saying there are 0 elite guys though... I can't argue that lol

Yea, I don't think any RB prospect is elite in this class. I don't see any of these guys as on par talent wise with Barkley, CMC, AP, healthy Gurley, Bell, or any of the other league winning RBs of the past. I'll be taking CEH/JT at 1.02 (much prefer CEH), but I'm fully prepared for JT to not receive the pass catching work necessary to become a top asset, I'm not convinced Swift is good enough to command a workhorse role in Detroit (I am hoping to pick him at 1.05, however), and I won't take the 4th/5th drafted RBs at #2 out of principal.