Who Should I Start? Najee Harris or Cam Akers

Monday, April 28, 11:53 PM

While nothing is set in stone right now, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that the team plans to deploy a booming 1-2 punch with rookie running back Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris in 2025. True to the Harbaugh mentality, the Bolts plan to line up and run the ball with Hampton and Harris, who are both big and powerful backs. Harbaugh raved about Hampton's ability to break tackles -- According to Pro Football Focus, 2,505 of his career rushing yards at North Carolina came after contact. At No. 22 overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft last Thursday, Hampton was a "unanimous" decision for the Chargers. Hampton averaged 5.9 yards per carry in each of his last two seasons with the Tar Heels and was a true workhorse. While his fantasy upside will be limited while sharing the backfield with Harris in 2025, Hampton's long-term fantasy upside in Harbaugh's system has to excite those in dynasty formats.

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.