The Los Angeles Rams‘ first overall draft pick in 2021 has always been a controversial figure among fans and the media. If you are struggling to remember who that was, it wouldn’t be a surprise. He has barely made an impact in his first three and a half seasons.
Los Angeles Rams WR Tutu Atwell on the Hot Seat
The controversy began when Tutu Atwell was taken 57th overall in the 2021 draft when experts were demanding the Rams take a position of need, like interior offensive line or edge rusher. Instead, they added Atwell to a roster that already featured Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
While it wasn’t a position of need, optimists could see how adding high-end speed to Woods and Kupp could unlock this offense in ways unseen at that point in time. They also added Desean Jackson in the offseason to mentor the 5’8″, 150 lbs rookie out of Louisville.
Atwell played 10 snaps that year.
Rookies can be given a pass in year one under Sean McVay, who has a high barrier to entry for playmakers, especially in the blocking game.
He picked up where he left off in the second season, but when Cooper Kupp went down with an injury, Atwell moved into a starting role. He had good showings and bad ones too, but not many flashes of greatness. But heading into year three, it seemed he had earned a starting job. He started the first 14 weeks and even had some big games.
But then he got hurt and lost his job to Demarcus Robinson. This brings us to this season, which Atwell began on the bench. He has gotten playing time, but again only due to injury.
Do I need to write more? If you can’t predict Atwell’s fate by now, your glasses are far too rose-coloured.
ESPN’s Sarah Barshop selected Atwell as the Ram with the hottest seat coming into the season and in their latest power rankings she doubles down, writing his seat is as hot as ever.
“Tutu Atwell, a 2021 second-round pick, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and isn’t expected to sign a second contract in Los Angeles. Since wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returned from injury, Atwell has seen his snaps decrease, finishing with four total catches in his past four games. In 10 games this season, Atwell has 27 catches for 393 yards. The Rams have seven wideouts on their active roster, and their top three are clear: Kupp, Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson.” — Sarah Barshop
Given the Rams’ history of cutting bait with draft busts, bad fits, or players exiting their prime makes their decision to keep him rostered a confusing one. The most recent case is trading Ernest Jones, who had a very clear spot on the team — its defensive leader and starting inside linebacker.
