Colts: Could Rams become potential trade partner after latest injury?
By Jerry Trotta
While the Indianapolis Colts’ passing game figures to be more lethal following the acquisition of Carson Wentz, fans shouldn’t forget that the offense was built to exhaust opposing defenses by running the rock behind their bruising offensive line.
When you consider the forgettable season Wentz endured last year, the Colts would be out of their gourd to have him carry the offense.
The Colts also have a trio of quality running backs on the roster, including Jonathan Taylor, who finished third in the league in rushing as a rookie, elusive pass-catcher Nyheim Hines, and Marlon Mack, who re-signed on a one-year deal after tearing his Achilles in 2020.
Speaking of Achilles injuries, the Rams received devastating injury news to their backfield on Tuesday, as Cam Akers tore his Achilles during a recent workout.
With training camp just a week away for Los Angeles, they’ll be scrambling to add a starting-caliber running back before then.
Seeing as though Indy has more RBs than they know what to do with entering training camp , could they become a trade partner for the Super Bowl-hopeful Rams?
#Rams RB Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles while training, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 20, 2021
Brutal blow for L.A., which loses its leading rusher from last season a week before camp begins.
Could the Colts and Rams link up on the trade market?
This is just gut-wrenching news for Akers, who, like Taylor, burst onto the scene for the Rams down the stretch last season after a static start. From Week 13 onward, Akers averaged 92.1 yards per game and scored four touchdowns. His 645 rushing yards during that span, which included the playoffs, were the fourth-most among running backs.
In other words, the Rams will have some huge shoes to fill, as their RB room now consists of Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones, Jake Funk and Raymond Calais.
If we were to assume that Taylor and Hines are untouchable, would the Colts consider unloading one of Mack or Jordan Wilkins to the west coast? They should be, especially when you recall how bullish they are on undrafted free agent Deon Jackson, whom they gave a sizable $45,000 (!) signing bonus, which was among the most for all UDFAs.
Even coming off his own Achilles injury, Mack would offer more value than Wilkins, meaning Indianapolis might be able to recoup a mid-round draft pick in return. After all, before the injury, Mack tallied 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry in 2018 and 2019.
The torn Achilles for #Rams RB Cam Akers that @TomPelissero reported happened yesterday. It’s always bad, but just a week before camp is extra brutal. He’ll miss 2021, but have plenty of time for 2022.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2021
Acquiring Mack and thrusting him into a committee with Henderson would be quite the consolation prize for the Rams.
Colts fans have been envisioning a three-headed backfield since Taylor was drafted. While that might still come to fruition in 2021 — who’s to say Los Angeles doesn’t take to free agency to find a replacement? — trading Mack after Taylor and Hines proved capable of carrying the load last year would just be good, albeit harsh, business.
And if the Rams come calling for Wilkins, GM Chris Ballard better have a deal in place before hanging up the phone.
