There may not be much value in the Houston Texans signing Cam Akers

The Houston Texans needed help at running back. It was a position that lacked depth and arguably some talent as well. The two most prominent names were recently acquired Joe Mixon and third-year backup Dameon Pierce. Pierce struggled in 2023, leaving many doubting his potential impact, while Mixon had an up-and-down career but was mostly a solid starter.

If either man got hurt, the Texans were doomed. Not only have injuries been an issue, but production has been as well. As mentioned earlier, Mixon and Pierce haven’t been the most reliable duo in the NFL heading into the 2024 season. That’s why many voices, including ourselves, have advocated for another running back to be added to the roster.

Bolstering the position with another name was the right move, and the Texans appear to agree. Ian Rapoport announced on Twitter that the club had signed former Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers to a contract on July 21.

In theory, this trade makes sense. He’s the same size as Pierce, both standing around 5’10” and weighing 210 pounds, just a few pounds lighter than Mixon. He has a somewhat similar style to Pierce, making his arrival a clear sign that Peirce needs to step up his game. Pushing Pierce, who had a rough 2023 season, isn’t the worst idea, as we want to see what the third-year pro can do for the Texans in the long run.

We also support signing another big name. However, we have questions about Akers himself. Akers had a promising 2020 season and he bounced back in 2022, but other than those two seasons, he has been largely ineffective or injured. To be more uncertain about it, even when healthy, he has been an average running back at best.

He’s also a carbon copy of Pierce in terms of skill. Akers isn’t a threat to catch passes and he’s not a big guy who can block. His best asset is his ability to carry the ball. He’s not a unique or dynamic talent and has had enough injuries to scare most NFL players away.

We’re okay with another running back, but we’re not sure if Akers is that guy.