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Should Rams give Tutu Atwell more snaps with Davante Adams out?
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- Should Rams give Tutu Atwell more snaps with Davante Adams out?
There might not be many players in the NFL who are more selfless than Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell, and thus he remains a respected and beloved figure in the locker room. Quietly becoming one of the team's longest-tenured players, outside of a quick stop with the Miami Dolphins, the veteran pass catcher has been with the franchise since 2021.
Despite his now six years with the franchise, Atwell has never been a focal point of the offense, nor has he ever been heavily targeted. The only exception is when he led the team in receptions and yards for a brief stint in 2024 while Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were out with injuries. Once they returned, not only did Atwell's targets drop dramatically, but he wasn't even the team's WR3; that job was occupied by Demarcus Robinson.
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However, his value comes from what he provides: blazing speed that defenses are forced to respect, even if the ball never goes his way. Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase highlighted that this week, calling Atwell a great assist man.
"I was joking with him literally last week. He's a great assist man at times," Scheelhaase said Thursday. "There are times you're trying to activate him in a number of different ways. I think the respect that people have for him and what he's able to do does impact the game in ways that may not be on the stat sheet specifically for him. I know our guys have a lot of appreciation for what he brings to the table and what he can create.
"Matthew has a whole lot of confidence in him going in, running underneath the balls, making the plays in tight windows. He's done a number of different things. That is one of those things that he impacts in a really cool way that doesn't go on the stat sheet but means a lot to our offense."
Atwell's speed naturally stretches defenses both horizontally and vertically, giving space for Sean McVay's elite route concepts to work, along with a big enough window for Matthew Stafford to fit the ball into.
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Stafford has gone to Atwell in the past, so the lack of production doesn't come from a skill or trust deficit. It's more about opportunity.
Why try Atwell, who is small and unable to outjump defenders with a low-percentage throw, when everything underneath provided better chances to move the ball efficiently?
Atwell didn't play last week and has seen limited action this season. With Davante Adams out and Nacua banged up, it may be time to give him more snaps, especially if the Rams hope to keep targeting Nacua and the tight ends heavily.
Interestingly enough, Atwell's most efficient run came in 2023 when he was paired with Nacua as the team's top two wide receivers, since Kupp was on injured reserve. In four games, Atwell saw 35 targets from Stafford, hauling in 22 catches for 270 yards and one touchdown. What makes that stretch even more remarkable is what Atwell's production did for the offense.
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Stafford, coming off a season-ending spinal cord contusion and retirement rumors, threw for more than 1,200 yards in those first four games, with Nacua accounting for nearly 500 of them off 39 catches. Those were the first four games of Nacua's career.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Should Rams give Tutu Atwell more snaps with Davante Adams out?
