We’re surprised nobody thought to sign Akers so that they could squeeze a draft pick out of the Vikings this time. Akers has now been acquired midseason by the Vikings three years in a row. He’ll help fill in for Aaron Jones’ absence and could see a small share of carries if he’s in playing shape.

Akers and Kendre Miller battled for position this preseason, and Akers ended up being the odd man out. The Saints also waived P James Burnip, WR Roderick Daniels Jr., WR Moochie Dixon, DL Jasheen Davis, DE Jeremiah Martin, DE Omari Thomas, OT Josiah Ezirimand, OT Jonathan Mendoza, TE Seth Green, OG Kyle Hergel and Tyreem Powell, and released TE Michael Jacobson and OL Mike Panasiuk.

Akers’ audition at the Saints’ June 10-12 mandatory minicamp was a success. The development is bad news for Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The trio was competing for the No. 2 spot behind the soon-to-be 30-year-old Alvin Kamara, who could use a reliable rushing complement. Akers ran well last year, playing for both the Texans and Vikings. Active for Weeks 9-Wild Card Weekend with the latter team, Akers averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 3.0 yards after contact. The depth chart is not yet set in stone, but Akers is best treated as the presumed No. 2 at this time.

Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill sourced the report, which indicates the team is not fully happy with the state of their backfield, consisting of Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal, former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, former wide receiver Velus Jones, and Xazavian Valladay. They’ll see what Akers has left in the tank, with their ultimate goal being to eventually trade him to the Vikings in Week 7, as is NFL tradition.