6 Free Agents the Chiefs Should Sign Before Mandatory Minicamp

4. Cam Akers, Running Back

Kansas City's issues in the passing game were well-documented in 2023. Impressively enough, Patrick Mahomes still led them to the sixth-most passing yards with 4,188. He did this with tight end Travis Kelce picking up 984 yards and rookie wideout Rashee Rice bringing in 938 yards. Justin Watson was third with 460 yards but beyond that, it was a committee of pass-catchers.

Perhaps it was the lack of deep threats but the rushing attack was actually worse in 2023. Kansas City finished 19th in the NFL with 1,784 yards and 26th in touchdowns with nine. Their leading rusher was Isiah Pacheco who had 935 yards and seven touchdowns. Former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire put up 223 yards and a touchdown but was behind Mahomes, who was second with 389 yards on the ground.

There's not much change to their depth chart in 2024 after the Chiefs re-signed Edwards-Helaire. Several players are fighting for the No. 3 spot including Carson Steele, Hassan Hall, and former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit. It wouldn't be a bad idea to add Cam Akers to the mix as well as the former second-round pick is still looking for a home.

Akers has had terrible luck when it comes to health, which has slowed his career. He had 625 yards as a rookie for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 but then in 2021, he suffered a torn Achilles in July. He returned to close out the season and played in the Super Bowl. Akers followed that up with his best season in 2022, going for 786 yards and seven touchdowns.

He lost his job to Kyren Williams last year and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Akers struggled and had just 138 yards and a touchdown before another Achilles injury ended his season. There's a risk involved due to his injury history but if he's healthy, he could add a lot to their running back committee, making it worth the roll of the dice.