5 NFL Running Backs to Watch: Can Cam Akers Handle Three-Down Work?

With more and more teams turning to a committee approach out of the backfield, and running backs annually missing significant chunks of time due to injury, it’s one of the toughest positions to evaluate each summer.

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Here's a peek at five running backs to watch alongside their prop totals from Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbooks.

Check out the latest comprehensive and most trusted Sportsbook Reviews by SBR.

5 Running Backs to Watch

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

An offseason Achilles’ tear kept Akers out until Week 18 last year, and he didn’t flash in the postseason with just 2.6 yards per carry through four games. The 23-year-old rusher is reportedly back at full health, though, and he is currently penciled in atop the Los Angeles running back depth chart. 

Head coach Sean McVay has historically leaned on a true No. 1 rusher for a hefty weekly workload, so if Akers proves he’s capable of handling the role, there’s tremendous upside in the potent LA offense.

However, fellow running back Darrell Henderson could force McVay to deploy a new backfield approach in 2022, and the fourth-year back is also a capable receiver. There’s a wide range of outcomes here – especially if Akers doesn’t show better than he did during the Rams’ run to the Super Bowl last year.

Top Akers Props

Over 7.5 Rushing Touchdowns (-112 FanDuel)

Over 8.5 Rushing Touchdowns (+110 DraftKings)

Over 849.5 Rushing Yards (-112 FanDuel)

Over 860.5 Rushing Yards (-115 Caesars)

Over 895.5 Rushing Yards (-110 DraftKings)

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

After pacing the NFL in broken tackles (31) on just 203 carries last season, Williams is on the verge of establishing himself as one of the best power backs in the NFL. There just might be too many obstacles in his way from translating the potential into a huge statistical showing.

First, veteran running back Melvin Gordon was re-signed by the Broncos, and he projects to split carries with Williams again this season. Sharing work will cut into Williams' opportunities to compile big numbers, and first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett also utilized a backfield committee down the stretch last year as the offensive coordination of the Green Bay Packers.

Secondly, while new quarterback Russell Wilson will improve the offense as a whole, it might also mean the passing attack could be featured more predominantly than it was last season. Again, potentially cutting into the touches available for Williams.

Top Williams Props

Over 7.5 Rushing Touchdowns (+105 Caesars)

Over 925.5 Rushing Yards (-112 FanDuel)

Over 945.5 Rushing Yards (-105 DraftKings)

Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks

A dominant five-game stretch consisting of 671 rushing yards, 7.3 yards per attempt and six touchdowns to end the 2021 campaign has Penny as one of the most polarizing running backs in the league heading into this season. 

After being selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the oft-injured back hadn’t even started an NFL game until Week 10 last year, and prospective bettors will now have to consider whether last year’s sample was large enough to confidently evaluate Penny.

Of course, the elephant in the room is just how significant of a downgrade the Seattle quarterback play will be this year. Departed signal caller Russell Wilson was behind center for all five of Penny’s explosive showings to finish last season.

Top Penny Props

Over 5.5 Rushing Touchdowns (-115 Caesars)

Over 6.5 Rushing Touchdowns (+100 DraftKings)

Over 775.5 Rushing Yards (-115 Caesars)

Over 799.5 Rushing Yards (-108 FanDuel)

Over 800.5 Rushing Yards (-115 DraftKings)

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

In the final year of his rookie contract, Sanders has a murky 2022 outlook, and especially after he failed to find the end zone through 12 games last season. It was also the second consecutive season injuries limited him to just 12 outings.

Still, he projects to be the top rusher in a potentially dangerous Philadelphia offense, and the offensive line should remain among the league’s best. The upside is there for Sanders to post career-high numbers across the board.

On the downside, the Eagles upgraded their pass-catcher group with the addition of wide receiver A.J. Brown, and starting quarterback Jalen Hurts called his own number 139 times last season and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. 

Top Sanders Props

Over 4.5 Rushing Touchdowns (-112 FanDuel)

Over 5.5 Rushing Touchdowns (+130 Caesars)

Over 825.5 Rushing Yards (-115 Caesars)

Over 850.5 Rushing Yards (-115 DraftKings)

Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

One of the biggest surprises at the position last season, Mitchell grabbed onto an early-season opportunity and rushed for 963 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per tote. He also caught 19 passes for 137 yards and a score.

A sixth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mitchell separated himself from his peers last year and projects to open the 2022 season as the No. 1 back in San Fran. The concern is his inability to stay on the field, though, as he only played 11 games – 10 starts – last year. 

Additionally, the 49ers selected running back Tyrion Davis-Price in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft to join Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon and JaMycal Hasty in an already deep backfield room. Mitchell needs to both stay atop the running back depth chart and stay healthy to improve on last season’s statistics. 

Top Mitchell Props

Over 6.5 Rushing Touchdowns (+100 Caesars)

Over 900.5 Rushing Yards (-112 FanDuel)

Over 950.5 Rushing Yards (-110 DraftKings)

Odds as of 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

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