There was no lack of critics when the Los Angeles Rams drafted Tutu Atwell with the 57th overall pick this year. It was very clearly a luxury pick for a team that was already deep at wide receiver and had just signed a deep threat in DeSean Jackson during free agency.
Atwell came into the NFL with size concerns and his role on the Rams was difficult to sort out, which hasn’t changed now seven weeks into the regular season. He’s played just 10 offensive snaps and hasn’t touched the ball outside of his seven punt returns and five kick returns, contributing minimally up to this point.
Sean McVay doesn’t seem satisfied with what the rookie has done thus far, saying he’d like to see Atwell with a heightened sense of urgency.
“Tutu’s a young player. He’s got a lot of room to develop and grow,” he said Wednesday. “I’d like to see him have a little bit more increased sense of urgency. There are a lot of guys that are in front of him that I think are great veteran examples. He’s doing some good things, he’s working hard in practice. The return opportunities have been limited and then he’s really not playing at all at receiver for us, so think you’ve just got to be patient and he’s got to just work behind the scenes and when he does get his opportunity – whether it’s this week, next week, at some point – he’s got to be ready to go.”
That’s not exactly a glowing review from the Rams coach, but it’s hard to blame him. Atwell hasn’t caught a single pass or taken a handoff, failing to carve out a role on offense. To be fair, he is behind Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson and DeSean Jackson on the depth chart – which might be the deepest receiver group in the NFL – but he should be able to contribute as a return specialist, at the very least.
That’s a position the Rams are still sorting out, with McVay seeming frustrated by the lack of stability there. Atwell has shown flashes of his quickness and playmaking ability but it’s obvious the Rams don’t trust him fully, sending Kupp back to receive punts in safe situations.
It’s still very early, but Atwell has disappointed so far as a second-round pick.
[listicle id=655973]