Cam Akers on what Stafford needs to bring to the Rams, and what Goff gives the Lions

Yahoo Sports’ Liz Loza goes 1-on-1 with the Los Angeles Rams breakout star. What are his thoughts on both sides of the Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff trade? How will Akers build on the strong ending to his rookie season? Akers tells us how he would attack the Buccaneers defense, and Liz asks him for his Super Bowl prediction. Cam Akers joined Yahoo Sports thanks to Panini. You can find Panini NFL Trading Cards at Walmart, Target, hobby stores nationwide and online at PaniniAmerica.net.

Video Transcript

LIZ LOZA: Rams running back, Cam Akers, thank you for joining me. How you feeling?

CAM AKERS: Feeling good. I'm feeling blessed. How you feeling?

LIZ LOZA: I am feeling wonderful, thank you. You're probably aware that your team was in the news a little bit over the weekend?

CAM AKERS: Yeah, a little bit.

LIZ LOZA: A little bit? So I have to ask you about Matt Stafford. I mean, here is a quarterback with one heck of a canon, tough as nails. After 12 years in Detroit, I'm guessing he might want to win a little bit.

CAM AKERS: Yeah.

LIZ LOZA: Your squad made it to the postseason. What do you think Stafford needs to bring to Los Angeles to get you guys back to the Super Bowl?

CAM AKERS: Just be hisself, you know. There's not, like, a magic potion you have to drink to-- it's coming in and going to work every day at practice, and ultimately, on Sundays and Mondays-- whatever day, you want to put your product on the field. When you take it one game at a time, one week at a time-- that's what I need Matt to do, just come in and take it one week at a time with it.

LIZ LOZA: What can you say to Lions fans about your former quarterback to help them welcome him to the city and maybe even get hyped about it?

CAM AKERS: Man, you should be hyped because he's a leader. He's a people's person. He's a great quarterback. He's a great-- he can throw the ball. He's got a great arm. You name it, you know.

Whatever you're looking for, you can get it out of Jared Goff. So just having an all-around great human being, you know, as your quarterback, not just on the field, off the field too. That's what you're getting coming to Detroit.

LIZ LOZA: So let's talk about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They got a big game this weekend. They also have one of the best run defenses in the NFL. They allowed the fewest rushing yards, the fewest rushing scores over the regular season.

But you, my friend, scored the first touchdown of your professional career at Tampa Bay in week 11. So tell me, what would you do to get the best of them this Sunday?

CAM AKERS: Well, what would I do? I'd be more efficient running the ball than we were. Even though we won, I would be more efficient running the ball than we were that game. Stop Brady.

LIZ LOZA: OK.

CAM AKERS: If you can stop Brady, then you might be victorious.

LIZ LOZA: Can I get a big game prediction out of you?

CAM AKERS: I'll have my popcorn, watching.

LIZ LOZA: [LAUGHS] Oh, so you won't tell me if you're feeling the Chiefs or the Bucs this weekend.

CAM AKERS: No, it's just-- it's too close. It's too close.

LIZ LOZA: You're a smart man, Cam Akers.

CAM AKERS: I got one I'm feeling. I'm just not going to say.

LIZ LOZA: I know it sounds a little bit cheesy, but you had a December to remember, friend. My goodness. And then to follow it up with the postseason performance against the Seahawks in the wildcard round-- whew. How-- let's just take that in for a moment. How are you settling into all of that?

CAM AKERS: Just not getting complacent, you know. It's easy to have a little success, especially as a rookie-- have a little success and kind of relax. But, you know, just want to be-- do better, add more to what I've already done. What I've done is cool, you know. It's all right, but it's nowhere near where I want to be or enough. Obviously, it wasn't enough. We didn't get to the Super Bowl.

LIZ LOZA: You are here with Panini. You were also the Rams' first pick of the 2020 draft. That's a big moment. How did it then feel after that to see yourself on a Panini card?

CAM AKERS: Just blessed, you know. It's a blessing to be able to be in the position that-- when I was a kid, I saw so many people that I looked up to and that I thought were good. I saw so many people on cards, and now I'm on a card. So, you know, it just makes you wonder who's looking at you the same way you looked at somebody else.

LIZ LOZA: Thank you so much for joining us here on Yahoo Sports. It's been a pleasure. I look forward to seeing you pick up in September where you left off in January. Your future is so bright.

CAM AKERS: Thank you.