I think Akers is a very good running back, but my evaluation of him will vary from the majority here.
Let's categorize backs to clarify my point.
The Elusives: Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, Tiki Barber, Warrick Dunn, Alvin Kamara, Reggie Bush. Darren Sproles.
The Swiss Army Knife: Marshall Faulk, Roger Craig, Thurman Thomas, and Ricky Waters, Amp Lee (wink)
The Hammer: Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, Jerome Bettis, Marion Motley, Ezekiel Elliott, Christian Okoye, John Riggins, Lenny Moore, Bo Jackson. Herschel Walker
The Slasher: Eric Dickerson, OJ Simpson, Edgerrin James, Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley, Terrell Davis, Curtis Martin, Lawrence McCutcheon
The Complete Competitor: Walter Payton, LaDanian Tomlinson, Tony Dorsett, Marcus Allen, Steven Jackson, Curtis Martin, Frank Gore.
With that self made list, our HOPE is that he develops into either the Slasher or Competitor groups as he doesn't have the traits of the other categories.The Payton/Dorsett comparison is relevant as neither possessed the greatest athleticism, but did everything at such a high level so consistently over several years that they are considered All Time Greats because they had the heart of a Secretariat. It will require many years to see if Akers will be in that conversation. Heck, we haven't even seen a year of durability yet so it's difficult to even put him near that category yet.
But so far, he's demonstrated Slasher characteristics. These RB's success is entirely contingent on OLine and scheme quality. Cam doesn't have the speed and power of a Dickerson or Peterson so let's not go there. To me, his ceiling is Curtis Martin. His best quality is so subtle that it will be missed by all but the most discriminating of analysis. His best runs are not ESPN highlights because those are due to gaping holes any RB can get.
In summary, so far Cam Akers is just pretty good but his production will be system oriented. He is as likely to have years like Terrell Davis as he does years like Cullen Bryant. Let's not get too excited about one game.
