While we all expected the Cam Akers breakout game, instead we got Malcolm Brown leading the Rams backfield and looking pretty solid along the way, making the veteran a fantasy football Week 2 waiver wire priority add. While Akers was out there for the first snap, Brown dominated when it came to snaps, touches, and production against the Cowboys.
Brown had 79 yards and two scores on 18 carries, while catching three balls for 31 yards on 61 percent of the snaps. On the other hand, Akers carried the ball 13 times for 39 yards and added a grab on 34 percent of the team’s snaps.
With the ball in his hands, Brown looked fluid running between the tackles and was given the opportunity to produce down on the goal line. He converted both chances and seemed to have a firm grasp on the RB1 role for the Rams.
When it came to Akers, you could see the skill and talent there, but he couldn’t put it all together right away, which is probably normal for a rookie running back with no preseason and limited camp. One would assume McVay will stick with the hot hand in Brown leading into Week 2, and he had this to say after the game regarding his backfield:
Sean McVay's 9/14 quotes on Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers pic.twitter.com/cjyIbEUz2L
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 15, 2020
It seems pretty evident that McVay eventually expects Akers to get more comfortable and adapt his game to the NFL level to become the team’s lead back. But in the meantime, McVay will ride the hot hand of Brown, and if he keeps playing like he did Sunday night against the Cowboys, then Akers’ emergence could end up being delayed.
In terms of the Week 2 waiver wire, Brown is most certainly worthy of a waiver bid. He’s the favorite for lead duties against the Eagles next week and has positive touchdown upside as the current goal-line back. Similar to McVay, fantasy owners can ride Brown’s hot hand for as long as he can keep this production up. Get the most use out of him as early as you can before Akers emerges from the shadows and snatches that RB1 role down the line.
