Cam Akers: Fantasy| Contract| Fantasy outlook| Minnesota vikings

Cam Akers: Fantasy | Contract | Fantasy Outlook | Minnesota Vikings

Cam Akers, the former second-round pick out of Florida State (2020), has had a roller-coaster NFL career so far. From flashes of promise to injuries, comebacks, and several transitions, his story is one of resilience. As of mid-September 2025, his status with the Minnesota Vikings has changed, and fantasy football managers are rightly wondering: What does this mean for his role? Is he worth rostering? What is his contract situation? This article breaks it all down: recent moves, contract details, past performance, and fantasy outlook.

1. Recent Moves: Contract & Roster Status

Signing / Practice Squad Move

• On September 16, 2025, the Vikings signed Cam Akers to their practice squad.

• This is his third stint with Minnesota. He has been with the Vikings previously in 2023 and 2024, as well as other teams like the Houston Texans.

Why the Move?

• The primary driver was an injury to Aaron Jones, who was placed on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury. That opened up depth concerns at the running back position.

• With Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott being other names in the mix, the Vikings wanted more experienced depth. Akers provides that.

2. Contract Background & Career Stats

Contract Timeline

• Earlier in June 2025, Cam Akers signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, after participating in their minicamp on a tryout basis.

• That contract did not guarantee that he would make the 53-man roster; indeed, he was released before the regular season began.

• The recent practice squad deal with Minnesota is more modest; no large guaranteed money has been reported in the public domain. It is essentially a depth move.

Career & Recent Performance

Here are the key career and recent performance stats to know for fantasy:

3. Fantasy Outlook: What to Expect

Given the recent signing to the practice squad, the injuries, and the depth chart in Minnesota, here’s how Cam Akers looks in fantasy football in 2025 (standard, PPR, dynasty etc.).

Role & Opportunity

• With Aaron Jones on IR, Akers has a path (though not guaranteed) to be active and possibly elevated to the 53-man roster for upcoming games.

• Jordan Mason is currently the RB1 by default while Jones recovers. Akers, Zavier Scott, and others will compete for backup and rotational touches.

• Given his familiarity with the Vikings’ offense (this being his third stint) and some past production, he is likely ahead of a raw newcomer.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Experience: He has played multiple seasons, knows NFL pace and expectations.

• Passing Game: Even though most of his value has come on the ground, he has had receiving production which helps in PPR formats.

• Efficiency (when available): Averaged decent yards per carry in some stretches (e.g., in 2024, about 4.3 YPC over 104 carries) when healthy.

Weaknesses:

• Health concerns: Injuries (notably the Achilles) have hampered consistency.

• Usage uncertainty: As a depth back or rotational piece, his touches are likely to fluctuate. Fantasy value dependent on injuries ahead of him.

• Roster volatility: Practice squad players are more vulnerable, and elevation is not always guaranteed.

Projection Scenarios

Let’s lay out possible scenarios for Akers in 2025 fantasy seasons.

Value by Fantasy Format

• PPR: More appealing due to his receiving ability. If he gets a few targets, that boosts value.

• Standard / Non-PPR: More dependent on rushing volume and touchdowns; the bar is higher for meaningful production.

• Dynasty: There is value in holding him as depth, especially given his youth and past flashes; but likely not a long-term starter unless he breaks out.

When to Target/Draft

• After starter RBs are taken: Akers isn’t a draft starter in most formats; more of a late-round flyer or waiver add.

• Especially useful in deep (14-16 team) leagues, or those with larger rosters/RB depth required.

• Also useful as insurance once injuries arise, given the volatile nature of the Vikings backfield with Jones hurt.

4. How This Fits Minnesota Vikings’ RB Depth Chart

Let me map Akers’ position in the Vikings’ backfield as of the latest update.

• Aaron Jones: On IR, key starter; his absence creates the opportunity.

• Jordan Mason: Likely RB1 in near term; will pick up most of the starter workload.

• Zavier Scott: Other depth option; Akers could surpass him depending on performance.

• Cam Akers: Depth / rotational candidate; practice squad to start, then potential elevation.

• Others: There may be other practice squad/inactive players; but Akers’ experience gives him an edge.

5. Fantasy Strategy: What Should Managers Do?

Based on all this, here are actionable fantasy football recommendations for different types of managers (season-long, dynasty, daily fantasy etc.).

Waiver Wire / Free Agency Moves

• If you have a vacancy at RB (due to bye weeks or injuries), Akers is worth picking up in deep or medium-deep leagues as a speculative add, especially given Jones’s IR status.

• Monitor whether Akers gets elevated to the active roster; that triggers whether he belongs in your weekly lineup.

Start / Sit Advice

• Start: Only in deeper leagues, or if Jones is confirmed out and Mason is limited and Akers elevated. In PPR formats when matchup is favorable.

• Sit: In standard leagues, or if he remains on practice squad / inactive. Don’t rely on him as primary. Use him only as bench insurance.

Trade / Dynasty Leverage

• In dynasty, Akers holds value as depth; if you can snag him cheaply, do so.

• He may be a sell candidate if he gets a couple of decent games, especially if Jones returns and takes back lead role. Cam Akers fantasy outlook

6. Risks & What to Monitor

Here are the key risks and what fantasy managers should keep an eye on to adjust expectations:

1. Aaron Jones recovery timeline – If Jones returns quickly, Akers’s opportunity shrinks.

2. Practice squad elevations – How many times Akers is elevated will determine real opportunity.

3. Game scripts – If Vikings fall behind often, they may abandon run; or if they lead, they might run more, benefiting Akers.

4. Health & workload – History of injury suggests caring for workload; risk for reinjury.

5. Competition – Others (Jordan Mason, Zavier Scott) may step up; Vikings could bring in more backs if needed.

7. Historical Comparisons & Case Studies

To better understand Akers’ possible trajectory, it helps to compare to other running backs who have similar roles (depth back stepping up due to injury) or who recovered from serious injury and produced.

• Players like Ito Smith, Kerryon Johnson, or Tony Jones Jr. – backs who often moved up when starters injured – suggest that if opportunity arises, RBs with decent past performance can produce solid fantasy weeks in spurts.

• Achilles injury recovery is not trivial; though Akers has already somewhat proven his ability to return and handle workload, long-term effects can affect burst, durability. Cam Akers fantasy outlook.

8. Overall Fantasy Grade & Projection for 2025

After weighing all factors, here is my projection:

• Grade (2025 Fantasy Season): C+ to B-

• He is not likely to be a top 30 RB in most standard or PPR leagues, but he has enough upside to outperform many RBs on the waiver wire if circumstances (injuries ahead, elevation, solid usage) fall his way.

• If Jones is out for at least 4-6 weeks (a plausible scenario), Akers could finish the season with several games of decent RB2/flex value. Perhaps something like 600-800 total yards (rushing + receiving) and 4-6 total touchdowns might be in reach in that best-case scenario. Cam Akers fantasy outlook.

9. What This Means for Your Fantasy Roster

• If you already have a strong RB1 and RB2, Akers is a good insurance piece.

• If your bench is thin, rostering Akers (if roster space allows) makes sense given the low cost and potential upside.

• In trade talks, try to get more value out of managers needing RB help; Akers could be appealing as a handcuff or speculative starter.

10. Summary & Key Takeaways

• Cam Akers is back in Minnesota on the practice squad as of mid-September 2025.

• His signing is driven by Aaron Jones’s injury and the Vikings needing more depth.

• His fantasy outlook is modest but not negligible: potential value if elevated and used; especially in deeper leagues or PPR formats.

• He carries risks — injuries, uncertain usage, competition — so he should be viewed more as depth/insurance than as a sure starter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Cam Akers a starter for the Vikings now?
A1: No. As of now, Aaron Jones is on IR, and Jordan Mason is expected to carry most of the workload. Akers is on the practice squad and would need to be elevated to the 53-man roster. His role would likely be rotational or in relief unless injuries or performance force a change.

Q2: How long until Akers becomes a fantasy relevant option?
A2: If Jones remains out for several weeks, and Akers is elevated, he could become relevant immediately (in next 1-2 weeks). For fantasy managers, monitor injury reports, Vikings’ backfield usage, and announcements of elevation. If nothing changes, he may remain fantasy irrelevant until some opportunity arises.

Q3: What are the risks of relying on Cam Akers in fantasy?
A3: The biggest risks include: (1) lack of certainty in touches, (2) potential lingering injury issues, (3) being passed over by other backs, (4) being cut or moving back to practice squad, and (5) low scoring ceilings unless he becomes primary. Cam Akers fantasy outlook.

Q4: In what fantasy format is Akers most valuable?
A4: He’s most valuable in PPR leagues (because of his receiving upside), in deeper leagues, in pick-ups via waivers, or in dynasty formats as a backup/depth RB. Less so in standard scoring unless his rushing volume increases or he scores multiple touchdowns.

Q5: Should I drop a current RB to pick up Cam Akers?
A5: Only if your current RB is likely to stay inactive or is underperforming badly, AND if your roster is deep enough or has bye week/injury pressure. If you have a reliable RB2, keep him. For RB3 or bench players, Akers might be worth the gamble, especially if Jones’s IR status persists.