Analyst Identifies The Los Angeles Rams $10 Million Hidden Super Power

As the Los Angeles Rams turn the page on the Cooper Kupp era, a once-overlooked playmaker is poised to command more attention in Sean McVay’s offense: Tutu Atwell. Known early in his career primarily for his speed and deep-threat potential, Atwell enters 2025 not just as a field-stretcher, but as one of the NFL’s most quietly efficient—and versatile—receivers.

While Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are expected to draw most of the defensive attention, Atwell’s emerging “superpowers” are giving the Rams a new offensive dimension. As Pro Football Focus’ Lauren Gray recently highlighted, Atwell was one of the most effective wideouts in the NFL when it came to capitalizing on open looks and comeback routes—two skill sets that may not grab headlines, but are invaluable to a quarterback.

The Comeback Route Specialist

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Comeback routes are among the least-targeted but most technical routes in football, requiring precise timing between quarterback and receiver. According to Gray, NFL receivers were targeted just 94 times on comeback routes in 2024. Atwell, despite limited opportunities, made the most of them—securing all three of his targets for 50 yards, all first downs, and logging two explosive gains. He earned a 91.8 PFF grade on those routes, the highest of any player with at least three targets.

This efficiency on low-margin throws suggests a level of trust between Atwell and quarterback Matthew Stafford—and a route-running polish that’s often overshadowed by his top-end speed.

Dominating Wide-Open Looks

Gray also spotlighted Atwell’s performance on wide-open targets, another sign of a receiver doing the little things right. Atwell caught 37 of 55 such targets for 504 yards and 27 first downs, notching 14 explosive plays and earning an elite 87.2 receiving grade on those opportunities.

“Atwell was open downfield on 29 of his targets in 2024, and he caught 21 for 418 yards. His average target depth on those plays was 18.4 yards, and he owns a career deep target rate of 33.8%.”

These numbers reveal more than just production—they signal precision in route execution and timing, along with the spatial awareness to get open in high-leverage situations. And with defenses focused on Nacua and Adams, Atwell should continue to find soft spots in coverage.

Elevated Role, Elevated Expectations With Los Angeles Rams

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This offseason, the Rams doubled down on Atwell’s potential by re-signing him to a one-year, $10 million deal, a bold vote of confidence for a player who logged just 39% of offensive snaps last year. He’s now penciled in as the No. 3 receiver in a Rams offense that operates in 11 personnel (three wide receivers) over 75% of the time.

Head coach Sean McVay called Atwell one of the “bright spots” of offseason workouts and believes he’s ready to “ascend” in 2025. It’s not just coachspeak—Atwell’s production when given increased opportunity backs that up. In games where he played more than 50% of the snaps over the past two seasons, he totaled 52 catches for 669 yards, showcasing a readiness to contribute consistently.

A Cooper Kupp Successor—In Spirit, If Not in Role

Though no one is expecting Atwell to replicate Kupp’s exact role, the Rams have already used him in similar situations. In both 2023 and 2024, Atwell’s route profile closely mirrored Kupp’s, particularly in hitch, out, and dig routes. His slot usage also quietly led Rams receivers last year, logging 40% of his snaps from inside—an area where McVay’s system thrives on creating mismatches.

More Than a Gadget Player

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For years, Atwell was labeled as a gadget receiver—a role player with straight-line speed. But 2024 told a different story. He posted a career-high 562 receiving yards, raised his catch rate to 68.9%, and improved his per-route efficiency. More importantly, he became a viable first-read option, ranking 12th in the league in first-read target share when filling in for injured starters.

In 2025, with a larger role, better health, and a defined spot in the lineup, Atwell is poised to show that his skill set is more than just straight-line speed. His ability to separate, convert high-precision routes, and stay reliable in high-pressure situations makes him one of the most intriguing x-factors in the NFC.

If the Rams’ offense is to remain among the league’s most efficient, it won’t just be because of Nacua or Adams. It’ll be because players like Tutu Atwell took the leap from role player to integral cog—something the film and advanced metrics suggest he’s more than ready to do.

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