Who Should I Start? Cam Akers or Jaylen Waddle

Wednesday, March 13, 4:55 PM

The Minnesota Vikings declined to offer a restricted free-agent tender to running back Cam Akers (Achilles), meaning he is a free agent and can negotiate freely with any team. The former second-round pick was an exciting prospect out of Florida State in 2020 but after two Achilles tears in four years in the NFL, his career has struggled to get off the ground. Akers was traded to the Vikings from the Los Angeles Rams early in the 2023 campaign and rushed 38 times for 138 yards and one touchdown before suffering a major Achilles injury. The 24-year-old might get a chance to play elsewhere, but it'll likely be on a cheap, one-year deal. For now, he remains far from the fantasy radar. The majority of skill players do not recover well from an Achilles tear, never mind two.

Monday, April 29, 4:15 PM

The Miami Dolphins have picked up the fifth-year option on star wideout and former No. 6 overall pick Jaylen Waddle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. This is a no-brainer for the organization after he racked up 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns during the first three seasons of his career. Even with Tyreek Hill in town, Waddle has remained a 1000-yard receiver and is one of the best No. 2 options in any passing game around the NFL. Although Waddle set career lows in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last year, he should be primed for a bounce-back campaign if he can stay healthy. He missed three contests in 2023. He's now under contract through the 2025 NFL season.