Draft Pick Conditions Revealed in Vikings-Rams Cam Akers Trade
The Vikings made a move to bolster their backfield depth this week, completing a low-cost trade with the Rams to acquire running back Cam Akers, who had fallen out of favor in Los Angeles. For a team that ranks dead last in the NFL in rushing yards through two weeks, it's an interesting acquisition that raises questions about Alexander Mattison's future as the clear-cut RB1 in Minnesota.
We now know the full details of this trade. The Vikings are acquiring Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder in exchange for a conditional 2026 sixth. The conditions, per NFL Network's Ian Rapaport, are that "Akers must combine for 500 yards rushing and receiving for the picks to count." Presumably, that's just within this season, as Akers is in the final year of his rookie contract.
So if Akers can get to 500 yards from scrimmage in the final 15 games of this season, the teams will swap picks in three years. If he doesn't, the Vikings will have gotten him for nothing (but obviously won't have gained a whole lot of production).
Akers will practice with the Vikings for the first time on Thursday and should be able to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, likely in a minor role. His familiarity with this offense from his time with Kevin O'Connell and Wes Phillips in LA should ease the transition.
"I like this move for the Vikings because basically all they gave up was a pick swap in, I think it was 2040," Rapaport said jokingly. "If you're the Vikings, this makes sense."
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