The Los Angeles Rams added another potential playmaker to the mix by taking Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Atwell may be slight of frame checking in at just 5’9″, 160 pounds. However, it is clear that the explosive wideout’s 4.32 speed was just too good to pass up on for head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead.
The rookie’s skill set as a burner in the passing game provides the offense with a much-needed deep threat. It appears this is not the only phase of the game where his speed will be utilized.
The Rams have a notable void to fill in the return game on special teams. According to Greg Beachum of The Associated Press, Atwell plans on taking over punt return duties leading up to the 2021 NFL season:
Rams rookie Tutu Atwell says he's "going to play punt return" this season: "It will be a huge, huge deal for me."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) May 26, 2021
Atwell added that he is looking forward to showing everything he brings to the table for the Rams:
Tutu Atwell on preparing to be the Rams' punt returner: "It’ll actually help me. It would be a great spot for the team. I’m just excited & ready to take over the job & do what I have to do … It'll be a nice (demonstration of my) skill set to get back there & do what I do best."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) May 26, 2021
Despite Atwell’s claims, McVay is adamant that the position is hardly set in stone at this point in the offseason:
Sean McVay says he hasn't decided whether rookie Tutu Atwell is his punt returner yet: "We've got a lot of guys that are potential candidates to be punt returners for us, and we've got a long time to figure it out."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) May 27, 2021
McVay’s comments hardly come as any surprise. Although he acknowledged that the return gig was up in the air, he is confident the Rams have more than enough options at their disposal to make it an intriguing competition.
Wide receiver Nsimba Webster averaged 21.6 yards on kicks and 7.4 yards on punts while handling the bulk of return duties last season. L.A. also relied on the steady hands of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who averaged 5.6 yards on nine returns.
Other potential candidates also include wide receiver DeSean Jackson and running back Raymond Calais. Jackson has a number of prolific returns on his resume while Calais’ 4.42 40-yard dash time makes him an intriguing option.
Regardless, Atwell’s comments indicate that he is already expecting to run away with the competition.
