Rams Tutu Atwell – A Greater Role In 2025?

May 4, 2025 Gary Boutwell Rams News 0

Rams Tutu Atwell - A Greater Role In 2025?
Rams Tutu Atwell - A Greater Role In 2025?

Chatarius “Tutu” Atwell, the Rams’ speedy wide receiver, has been a topic of intrigue since being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Known for his blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash and explosive playmaking ability, Atwell has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to cement himself as a consistent, every-down player in the NFL. As he enters his fifth season with the Rams in 2025, following a one-year, $10 million contract extension, the question looms: Can Atwell evolve into a reliable, full-time contributor in Sean McVay’s offense? As we have heard before, McVay has said he plans to involve Atwell in the offense much more heading into the 2025 season.

Atwell’s Journey So Far

Atwell’s Rams’ career has been a mix of promise and inconsistency. His rookie season in 2021 was marred by a shoulder injury that sidelined him for much of the year, limiting him to a role as a return specialist with no recorded receptions. In 2022, he began to show his potential, scoring his first touchdown on a 62-yard reception and finishing with 18 catches for 298 yards in 13 games. The 2023 season marked a step forward, as he posted career highs with 39 receptions, 483 yards, and four touchdowns, including a 38-yard touchdown in the Rams’ playoff loss to the Detroit Lions. In 2024, Atwell achieved another career-best performance, recording 42 receptions for 562 yards across 17 games, though he failed to score a touchdown.

Despite these improvements, Atwell’s role has often been situational, with his snap counts and targets fluctuating based on the health and performance of teammates like former Ram Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson. His usage has frequently been tied to specific packages that leverage his speed, such as deep routes or pre-snap motion plays, rather than a consistent presence in the offense. Posts on The Rams Forum highlighted this underutilization, with users noting that Atwell ranks highly in metrics like yards per route run (2.57 in 2024, 8th among receivers) and average separation, suggesting his talent is not the issue but rather his limited opportunities.

Strengths That Support an Expanded Role

Atwell’s skill set offers several attributes that could make him a candidate for an expanded role:

  1. Elite Speed: Atwell’s 4.35 speed makes him a constant deep threat, capable of stretching defenses and creating opportunities for others. His ability to burn defenders was evident in plays like a 50-yard reception against the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 and a 62-yard touchdown in 2022.
  2. Versatility: While primarily a slot receiver, Atwell has lined up in various positions, including as a punt and kick returner, and has been used in jet sweeps and end-around plays (14 career carries for 65 yards and one touchdown). Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen noted in 2022 that Atwell’s understanding of the offense allows him to play multiple positions, adding flexibility to the playbook.
  3. Efficiency: When given opportunities, Atwell has been productive. In 2024, he averaged 10.35 yards per target (16th among receivers) and led Rams wideouts in average separation, per PFF. His 2.24 yards per route run in 2023 and 2.57 in 2024 rank among the league’s best, indicating he maximizes his chances.
  4. Improved Blocking: A knock on Atwell early in his career was his blocking ability, given his 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame. However, PFF graded him as the 13th-best blocking wide receiver in 2022 and 10th in 2023, showing growth in an area critical for every-down players.
  5. Coaching Support: Rams head coach Sean McVay has publicly acknowledged underutilizing Atwell, stating in 2025 that he expects Atwell to be “on the field a lot more” in three-receiver sets alongside Puka Nacua and newly acquired Davante Adams. McVay’s comments suggest a commitment to expanding Atwell’s role, especially with Cooper Kupp’s departure and Demarcus Robinson’s exit in free agency.

Challenges to Overcome

Despite his strengths, several hurdles could prevent Atwell from becoming an every-down player:

  1. Size and Durability Concerns: Atwell’s slight frame raises questions about his ability to handle the physicality of an every-down role. His 2021 shoulder injury and a 2024 concussion highlight durability concerns, though he has played in 37 games over the past three seasons, missing minimal time.
  2. Competition for Targets: Even with Kupp and Robinson gone, Atwell will compete for targets with Nacua, a rising star, and Adams, a proven veteran. The Rams’ offense, while pass-heavy under McVay, may not provide enough volume for Atwell to see consistent targets if he remains the third option. In 2024, Atwell’s role diminished after a strong start, with only 33 yards in his final six games as Robinson took on a larger role.
  3. Inconsistent Usage: Atwell’s production has often been tied to injuries to Nacua or Kupp. For example, in 2024, he thrived early when both were sidelined, posting 10 receptions for 185 yards in the first three weeks, but his role shrank as the offense reintegrated its stars. Becoming an every-down player requires McVay to design a scheme that consistently incorporates Atwell, regardless of personnel.
  4. Limited Red-Zone Impact: Atwell’s zero touchdowns in 2024 and only four career receiving touchdowns suggest he’s not yet a go-to option in scoring situations. His size may limit his effectiveness in contested-catch scenarios, a key trait for every-down receivers.
  5. Historical Precedent: Undersized receivers like Atwell (e.g., Tank Dell, Wan’Dale Robinson) have faced challenges sustaining every-down roles due to physical demands. While the NFL is evolving to favor smaller, quicker players, Atwell must prove he can transcend this archetype.

The Path to a Greater Role

For Atwell to become an every-down player, several factors must align:

  1. Scheme Adjustment: McVay must commit to using Atwell in a defined role, leveraging his speed in three-receiver sets and incorporating more short and intermediate routes to complement his deep threat ability. Atwell’s pre-snap motion and jet sweep usage could be expanded to keep defenses guessing.
  2. Increased Snap Counts: In 2024, Atwell’s snap counts varied widely, from as low as nine in Week 17 to significant roles when Nacua or Kupp were out. To be an every-down player, he needs to consistently play 50-70% of offensive snaps, as opposed to the situational 20-40% he often saw. McVay’s promise of “a lot more” snaps in 2025 is encouraging, but it must translate to game plans.
  3. Chemistry with Stafford: Atwell has shown rapport with quarterback Matthew Stafford, with highlight plays like a 50-yard heave in 2024 and a 24-yard dart over the middle. Building on this connection, especially in 11-personnel formations, could elevate his target share.
  4. Physical Development: Atwell must continue to improve his strength and blocking to handle the rigors of a full-time role. His progress in PFF’s blocking grades is a positive sign, but maintaining health over a 17-game season is critical.
  5. Opportunity from Roster Changes: With Kupp and Robinson gone, the Rams’ receiving corps is reshaped around Nacua, Adams, and Atwell, with Jordan Whittington as a secondary option. This opens the door for Atwell to step into a starting role in three-wide sets, potentially as the slot receiver or flanker.

Fantasy Football and Fan Perspectives

Fantasy football analysts and fans have mixed views on Atwell’s potential. In 2023, a Reddit post on r/fantasyfootball praised Atwell’s early-season breakout (17 catches, 246 yards in three games), but noted that Kupp’s return would likely reduce his targets. In 2024, Atwell’s inconsistent usage made him a fringe flex option, though analysts like Matt Bowen and Eric Moody recommended him as a waiver-wire pickup when Nacua and Kupp were injured. On X, fans and analysts have called for more opportunities, citing his elite per-snap efficiency and arguing that usage, not talent, is the limiting factor.

From a fantasy perspective, Atwell’s 2025 outlook hinges on McVay’s commitment to increasing his role. If he secures a consistent 5-7 targets per game, he could emerge as a WR3 with upside in PPR leagues, especially given his big-play potential. However, his lack of red-zone production and competition with Nacua and Adams temper expectations for a true WR1 or WR2 role.

Wrap Up

Tutu Atwell has the talent, speed, and efficiency to become an every-down player, but his path depends on overcoming physical limitations, securing a defined role, and capitalizing on the Rams’ restructured receiving corps. Sean McVay’s acknowledgment of past underutilization and promise of increased snaps in 2025 are positive signs, as is Atwell’s one-year, $10 million deal, which signals the team’s belief in his potential. However, competition for targets and historical challenges for undersized receivers remain obstacles.

If McVay designs an offense that consistently features Atwell’s speed and versatility, and if Atwell continues to develop physically, he could finally break through as a full-time contributor. For now, his ceiling appears to be a high-impact No. 3 receiver who thrives in specific situations, but with the right opportunities, Atwell could prove he’s capable of more. Rams fans and fantasy players alike will be watching closely to see if 2025 is the year Atwell becomes the every-down player his talent suggests he can be.

About Gary Boutwell 166 Articles
Gary Boutwell is the proud owner and founder of The Rams Forum and, The Rams News, two thriving online communities dedicated to NFL enthusiasts. A lifelong football fan with a particular affinity for the Los Angeles Rams, Gary has turned his passion for the game into a platform where fans can connect, debate, and share their love for the sport. Now retired after a distinguished career in information technology (IT), Gary spends his days writing about the NFL, offering insights, analysis, and commentary that reflect his deep knowledge and enthusiasm for the league.

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