Who Should I Start? Cam Akers or Clyde Edwards-Helaire

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, February 13, 5:55 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints re-signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. Edwards-Helaire began the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs but opened the year on the Non-Football Illness list while dealing with mental-health issues. The former 32nd overall pick by the Chiefs in 2020 out of LSU never played in a regular-season game for KC last year before being waived in December and picked up by the Saints as additional depth for a banged-up backfield. The 25-year-old ended up playing in two games for the Saints, carrying the ball 13 times for 46 yards and adding three catches for 24 yards. CEH, who has averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his five NFL seasons, will now work out with New Orleans this offseason and attempt to win a roster spot in training camp. He'll be facing an uphill battle for a significant role on offense in 2025.