Tutu Atwell is someone that Los Angeles Rams fans hoped would make a mark as a former top draft pick for the team. As a rookie, he played in just 10 offensive snaps.
Atwell was likely to appear in more than 10 snaps for the offense but he had season-ending shoulder surgery in November.
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As a result of this poorly timed injury, Atwell finished the season without a catch. He only time he touched the ball was in the return game, where he had 15 total returns for 141 yards. If nothing else, Atwell was a good return man as a rookie.
However, Atwell, with an offseason worth of recovery, garnered praise at camp. Among those who touted Atwell’s name was quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“Everything (Atwell does) seems to be that much more intentional,” Stafford said in an interview after practice. Atwell will be behind incumbents Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson, as well as newcomer Allen Robinson to begin camp. However, his involvement in the offense could be more vast.
With Atwell projected to be the fourth wide receiver as we enter training camp, his role in the offense should not be too significant. Although it isn’t expected to be huge, Atwell seeing more chances in the offense is a possibility.
The Rams have been missing a deep-threat option since the release of DeSean Jackson last season. If Atwell can continue to impress, he could fill that role in the offense when his number is called.
Speaking of Jackson, Atwell projected as a deep threat is what the doctor ordered for the offense. Every time Jackson caught a deep ball for the Rams last season, the team won. Each victory was by at least nine points when he went over 20 yards.
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Stafford loves throwing deep. With a deep-threat like Atwell, Stafford finding a good deep -ball target in him could greatly benefit the offense and the team.