Who Should I Start? Cam Akers or Chris Olave

Monday, January 13, 7:20 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (illness), who was listed as questionable for Monday night's wild-card game in Arizona against the Los Angeles Rams, is active and will be available. Akers popped up on the injury report this week on Saturday due to an illness and did not practice, but he's feeling better on Monday and should serve in his usual role as a change-of-pace option in Minnesota's backfield behind starter Aaron Jones. The 25-year-old will be a touchdown-dependent flex play, at best, against his former team in this one. Akers started the 2024 season with the Houston Texans before being acquired by the Vikings. In his 12 games in Minnesota this year, Akers has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 5.3 rushing attempts per game, adding 297 rushing yards and three total TDs (two receiving). Unless Jones is hurt mid-game, Akers carries limited fantasy upside as the RB2.

Thursday, May 22, 3:14 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receivers Chris Olave (head) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) look fully recovered during OTAs, according to team beat writer Matthew Paras. Olave missed nine games last season due to multiple head injuries/concussions, while Shaheed's season ended in Week 6 after he suffered a torn meniscus. Both New Orleans wideouts are explosive play-makers with blazing speed, but health will be a concern in 2025. Additionally, they are likely to be catching passes from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough for most of the year, and rookie signal-callers traditionally struggle to support multiple fantasy-relevant pass-catchers. All that said, their positive injury updates early in the offseason are promising. Olave, priced as a mid-range WR3, could present value if Shough exceeds expectations. Shaheed remains a late-round best ball dart throw.