Cam Akers Fantasy Outlook: Is Texans RB worth picking up in fantasy football this year?

Cam Akers has had a mixed career so far. On one hand, he is a former Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams. On the other, he has been mostly anonymous outside of a 786-yard 2022, even being traded in the middle of 2023 to the Minnesota Vikings.

This offseason, he joined the Houston Texans as part of a three-headed group including Dameon Pierce and Joe Mixon. But does that instill confidence in fantasy players?

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Cam Akers fantasy outlook

According to Sportskeeda's fantasy RB rankings, Akers sits at RB72. That puts him firmly in RB3 territory alongside the likes of Israel Abanikanda, D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr.

He is roughly the same size as Pierce and only three inches shorter than Mixon, which makes one wonder why someone with not that many achievements would join a loaded squad like the Texans instead of something like the Las Vegas Raiders, who badly needed a strong option at RB1 after losing Josh Jacobs.

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Is Cam Akers worth picking up in fantasy football?

Given the roster situation, it is hard to justify picking Akers to be productive in a given game, barring injury.

Sticking to the ground game, there is a reason why Nick Caserio traded for Joe Mixon. He is a former Pro Bowler and AFC champion who can contribute immediately. Meanwhile, Dameon Pierce, despite his past struggles, is a 24-year-old former starter who possesses much potential to improve and regain his previous high standing within the team.

And that is not to mention the passing options. CJ Stroud possesses a monstrous wideout trio that has served to make the Texans the AFC South's only non-winless team: Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs on the outside and Tank Dell in the slot. There is also tight end Dalton Schultz, who provides a big-bodied red zone threat.

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Should you start Cam Akers in Week 3 Fantasy Football?

There is some good news for Cam Akers ahead of his clash against his old cohorts in Minneapolis: with Joe Mixon out and Dameon Pierce doubtful, he is likely to start. Akers looked good under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's scheme during the preseason outing.

However, the Vikings boast a strong 3-4 front seven bannered by linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, who have been a dominating force on the opposing team's run game, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry.

The depth on the Texans offense makes him an easy candidate to start in Week 3. He is expected to see a substantial workload against the Vikings and has the potential to be a sleeper pick. So fire up Akers this week in your lineup.