Who Should I Start? Najee Harris or Cam Akers

Thursday, February 29, 6:09 PM

While Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that the team thinks "very highly" of running back Najee Harris, he was also non-committal on whether the team will pick up his fifth-year option. Harris' future is thus uncertain despite the fact that he's recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons while making team history. Harris' fifth-year option, which was set at $6.79 million, must be decided on by May 2. If they pick it up, it would become fully guaranteed for the 2025 season. It would be a surprise if Pittsburgh didn't pick it up, considering they have invested heavily in a ground-and-pound offensive rushing attack and just hired Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator. The 25-year-old would figure to have a solid fantasy floor if he sticks with the Steelers, although Jaylen Warren will continue to be a thorn in his upside.

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.