Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show believes the Los Angeles Rams finally have the right roster construction to maximize Tutu Atwell — and it starts with Davante Adams.
“When you have both Cooper Kupp and Atwell on the field, you’re dealing with two guys you have to manufacture space for, often by putting them in motion,” Mays explained. “That’s tough to do with both of them. Now, with Kupp gone, you only have one player you need to keep in motion to give consistent access. That actually allows them to weaponize Atwell in ways they really couldn’t before.”
For a player whose role has often been situational, that adjustment could be transformative. Atwell has flashed in spurts during his career, but the overlap with Kupp often limited how McVay could use his speed and movement skills. Now, Mays suggests, the Rams can lean into Atwell’s unique skill set in a more streamlined offense.
Tutu Atwell’s Battle for the No. 3 Role
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That timing is crucial as Atwell competes with Jordan Whittington for the Rams’ No. 3 wide receiver spot, according to Cameron DaSilva of The Rams Wire. Atwell signed a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason, signaling the team’s belief in his value, but Whittington has impressed for the second straight summer.
They bring very different traits to the table. Atwell, listed at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, is one of the smallest players in the league but thrives in space. Whittington, at 6-1 and 202, adds size and physicality to the rotation. Whoever wins the job will see heavy snaps in McVay’s three-wide-heavy offense, though meaningful targets may be harder to come by with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams entrenched as the top two options.
Mays on Terrance Ferguson and 12 Personnel
Mays also believes the addition of rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson could reshape McVay’s approach. With Kupp’s departure, he sees Ferguson filling part of that void, particularly in seam routes.
“If you look at some of Kupp’s best moments last year, it’s him running the seam,” Mays said. “That’s exactly what Ferguson could bring as a vertical F-tight end. With a little more 12 personnel, Higbee and Colby Parkinson as the in-line guys, and Ferguson stepping in to handle some of Kupp’s seam work, this might finally be the year we see that uptick in 12 personnel for the Rams.”
McVay himself has teased that possibility. After selecting Ferguson in the second round of the draft, he was heard on the Rams’ Behind the Grind documentary shouting, “A little 12 personnel now, Tony?” toward VP Tony Pastoors. GM Les Snead echoed the sentiment on The Pat McAfee Show, noting the team’s desire to add more versatility to its offensive packages.
A Shift in Identity
Since McVay’s arrival in 2017, no team has leaned on 11 personnel more than the Rams. But the groundwork for change has been laid. Last year, Los Angeles used 12 personnel on 13.9 percent of plays — up from 5 percent in 2023 — and that was before Ferguson entered the fold.
The shift could also help the Rams in the red zone, where they ranked just 25th in touchdown percentage last season. Adding two versatile tight ends in Ferguson and Tyler Higbee alongside playmakers like Nacua, Adams, and Atwell could make the offense far less predictable inside the 20.
A Pivotal Season for Atwell
For Atwell, the opportunity has never been clearer. His numbers have improved each year, capped by a career-high 42 catches and 562 yards in 2024 despite playing just 39 percent of snaps. McVay has already pointed to him as one of the players who stood out this offseason, saying, “I think Tutu Atwell’s ready to really ascend, take the next steps.”
The challenge will be balancing McVay’s long-standing reliance on three-receiver sets with the desire to expand into more two-tight-end looks. But if Mays is right, this version of the Rams’ offense may finally be built to get the most out of Atwell — while simultaneously ushering in a long-awaited shift to 12 personnel.
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