The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact of Kareem Hunt and Cam Akers Finding New Homes

Ken Kelly Posted On September 22, 2023

It was a perfectly quiet week, then we got a flood of running back news all at once. First, Kareem Hunt finally found a roster and didn’t even have to find a new parking spot as he signed a one-year deal to return to the Browns. Shortly after that, Cam Akers was traded to Minnesota, ending a tumultuous run in Los Angeles with the Rams. It all creates a flurry of dynasty value changes, so let’s take a look at the players involved.

Kareem Hunt, RB CLE

There was a time when Hunt was one of the biggest weapons in all of fantasy football. Unfortunately, things have just not gone to plan since he his rookie season back in 2017. Since then, we’ve seen Hunt face off-the-field controversy, be subsequently released from the Chiefs, become a frustrating handcuff to Nick Chubb and generally look like he had lost a step or two the last couple of seasons. When he left the Browns as an unsigned free agent this off-season, dynasty managers who had held on to him were likely hoping he’d land in a spot where he could be a fill-in starter (Indianapolis or New Orleans). Instead, Hunt waited things out and ended up going back to Cleveland in the wake of Chubb’s awful knee injury.

While some dynasty managers may be excited thinking we could see some kind of resurgent late-career burst from Hunt, it’s clear the Browns see him as they always have – a change of pace to a starter, only this time it’s Jerome Ford. Make no mistake, Hunt is not being brought back to take over for Ford. It seems very obvious the Browns needed some solid insurance and are more than willing to let Ford establish himself moving forward. While Hunt’s ADP will rise a bit with this news, we’d have to see some really good games for it to rise much more.

Jerome Ford, RB CLE

If dynasty managers are looking to somehow unload Ford based on the news Hunt is back in Cleveland, I’d pounce on that pretty quickly. In fact, I was a contending team, I’d have no problem sending a second round rookie pick to acquire Ford. He’s always been an explosive player and one who has always just needed a chance – he’s going to get just that in Cleveland. While he could flame out quickly, he could also be one of those players who dynasty managers end up looking back and finding they were the key to winning their league. I don’t think the addition of Hunt really changes much of anything and really just protects Cleveland should Ford struggle or get injured.

Pierre Strong, RB CLE

If there’s a loser in this signing, it’s Strong. The Browns had supposedly added him to be their passing game complement but that seems to have gone by the wayside. With Hunt on the roster, it’s really hard to see much value in having Strong on your roster. There are likely some better prospects you can put on the back end of your roster. It’s frustrating because it really did seem like he’d get a decent chance to play. Instead, that’s seemingly gone.

Cam Akers, RB MIN

Boy, did things change quickly for Akers. Once a dynasty darling and top 25 asset, a torn Achilles and relative ineffectiveness since have truly derailed his career. With the Rams turning to Kyren Williams, the writing was on the wall for Akers and this was about as good a situation as you could hope for in the end. Still, this is a player who has put up just 29 yards on 22 carries this season and just hasn’t looked like the same player post-injury. Akers will now compete with Alexander Mattison for carries in Minnesota as the Vikings seem truly desperate for some production from the position. His ADP is still going drop based on his poor September thus far but Akers will at least have a shot at regaining some value – something he clearly was not going to have in Los Angeles.

Alexander Mattison, RB MIN

Ugh. Mattison was one of the most talked about players in dynasty leagues all off-season. After all, Dalvin Cook was let go and he had the backfield reigns to himself moving forward. However, the first couple of weeks have been a total disaster as Mattison has produced just 62 yards on 19 carries and caught just six passes in those two games, making him one of the biggest disappointments of the season. With a sub 4.0 yards per carry over his last 35 games, it’s looking like Mattison just may not have what it takes to be a starter in the league. Akers is going to push him more than the other runners on the roster could have before and while it’s still his job to lose, time is running short here and his ADP is surely going to suffer as well.

Ty Chandler, Myles Gaskin, RBs MIN

Chandler has long been a dynasty sweetheart but this deal clouds his short-term future. Gaskin also looks like a “JAG” at this point in his career. While Chandler should still be held on to, this just looks like a backfield that’s going to be a mess for a while.

Kyren Williams, RB LAR

Any questions? There are few players in the league who dynasty managers are looking forward to seeing more this week than Williams. With Akers out of the way, he has a chance to put up vintage Todd Gurley-like numbers in Los Angeles. His ADP is moving up faster than any other player in dynasty leagues outside of his teammate, Puka Nacua, who has seemingly become the Michael Jordan of the NFL after two weeks.

Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans, RBs LAR

These two are both worth a look now. With Akers out of the way, one of these players will be a very valuable handcuff moving forward. It’s certainly worth monitoring moving forward and this week could be a good indicator as to which one the Rams may prefer at the moment. Stay tuned.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK