Atwell improving

Rams WR coach Eric Yarber discussed Tutu Atwell, who's now in year 2. “It’s night and day,” Yarber said. “He’s progressing very, very well mentally and physically. The game has slowed down for him. He knows his plays like the back of his hand.” Atwell was criticized for his work habits as a rookie. Apparently, that’s changed over the offseason. “It’s almost like he took things for granted (last year),” Yarber said of Atwell. “But now, he saw how Cooper and Robert Woods prepared and how it translated to on-the-field (success). Atwell was a 2nd round pick last year and doesn’t turn 23 until October. Still, given a loaded depth chart, it’s likely he’ll need injuries (or a trade) to gain any fantasy value.

The Rams placed rookie WR Tutu Atwell on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If he’s unvaccinated, Atwell must quarantine for 10 days. If he is vaccinated, he can rejoin his teammates after testing negative twice 24 hours apart. Atwell was already a long-shot for year 1 value, and this only further keeps him off the redraft radar.

The Rams went with Louisville WR Tutu Atwell with the 57th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Atwell measured in at 5’9 and 149 pounds at his Pro Day, which would make him a major outlier if he hits as a pro. Only 3 WRs of 160 pounds or lighter have caught a pass in the NFL since 2000: J.J. Nelson, JoJo Natson and Brandon Banks. None of those guys was a fantasy factor, of course. Atwell does have sub-4.4 speed and broke out for a 69-1,272-11 line as a true sophomore back in 2019. But he took a step back this past year, finishing with fewer yards than fellow 2021 WR prospect Dez Fitzpatrick. And that size is just tough to get over. Landing with a strong offensive mind in HC Sean McVay is good news. But we’re still not betting on this guy becoming a reliable fantasy factor.