Who Should I Start? Royce Freeman or Cam Akers

Wednesday, September 18, 1:10 AM

The Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent running back Royce Freeman to their practice squad. Freeman, a seven-year veteran, was released by the Dallas Cowboys in August and now joins the Browns. A third-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018, he has also played for the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams. Last season, Freeman appeared in 14 games with the Rams, accumulating 319 yards and two touchdowns. With Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines sidelined, the Browns have been thin at running back, and as of Tuesday, Pierre Strong Jr. is listed as "week to week" with a hamstring injury. Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman have been handling the majority of the carries. Freeman must establish a significant role before fantasy managers consider adding him to their rosters. He could have an opportunity to contribute as soon as this Sunday against the Giants.

Friday, November 15, 5:39 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers will not be a recommended option this Sunday when his team squares off against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. The former Florida State Seminole garnered his highest touch total of the season in last weekend's victory over the Jaguars when he received 14 of them (13 rushes) with backfield mate Aaron Jones (ribs) briefly tending to an injury. It appears that Akers has taken over Minnesota's RB2 role over the last few weeks, superseding Ty Chandler, who previously held that title. Even with his new-found promotion, the 25-year-old is little more than a handcuff unless Jones is forced to miss time. Akers ranks as RotoBaller's RB42 in PPR formats for Week 11.