The first major domino fell last week ahead of the Nov. 1 NFL trade deadline as the Carolina Panthers sent Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers for 2023 second-, third- and fourth-round draft picks, plus a fifth-rounder in 2024.
The Los Angeles Rams, who are in need of a dire boost at the running back position, were believed to be strong contenders for McCaffrey before he was dealt to their NFC West rival.
L.A. has shown in recent seasons they are more than willing to make a blockbuster move if the opportunity presents itself, acquiring Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford and Von Miller, among others.
According to NFL insider Doc Kleiman, the Rams offered Cam Akers and multiple draft picks to the Panthers before they traded McCaffrey to the 49ers:
Update 2: The #Rams offered to trade RB Cam Akers to the #Panthers for RB Christian McCaffery.
Their final offer to Carolina was: 2nd and 3rd in the 2023 Draft, 4th and 5th in the 2024 Draft, and RB Cam Akers.
The Panthers took the #49ers offer instead.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 24, 2022
With head coach Sean McVay admitting the team was exploring trade options for Akers, it does not come as a surprise the Rams tried including him in a potential McCaffrey deal.
Akers has rushed for 151 yards in five games this season but hasn’t played since a Week 5 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. It is still likely the 23-year-old will be traded before next week’s deadline, with the New York Jets being a possible fit.
While the Rams’ reported trade offer for McCaffrey was competitive, the Panthers ultimately preferred the 49ers’ deal in the end. McCaffrey, who played his college ball at Stanford, rushed for 38 yards and added another 24 through the air in his first game with San Francisco.
