Rams WR Tutu Atwell Named Team's Most Under-Appreciated Player

In a choice that may surprise fans, NFL.com lists receiver Tutu Atwell as the Los Angeles Rams' most under appreciated player

Los Angeles Rams receiver Tutu Atwell is still looking to break through as he enters his third NFL season. 

Atwell, the No. 57 pick in their 2021 NFL Draft, hardly played at all as a rookie, mostly serving as an occasional special teams player with only 10 snaps on offense. Then in 2022, Atwell struggled to get playing time again at first, only playing 30 offensive snaps through Week 11. He saw the field more once injuries started piling up, though, and he finished the season with 18 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown.

Atwell's slight emergence late in the season has some thinking he could play a bigger role in 2023. NFL.com even listed the third-year receiver as the Rams' most under appreciated player heading into the new season.

"In the Rams' final eight games of 2022, Atwell played almost 63 percent of snaps, increasing his win share despite a slew of injuries across the offense, including at quarterback," NFL.com writes. "According to Next Gen Stats, he posted the team's four fastest speeds of the season as an offensive ball-carrier -- and had the only four to top 20.5 mph."

This selection may come as a surprise to some Rams fans, as Atwell has drawn some criticism from the fanbase for his lackluster production. Some have also pointed out how the Rams took Atwell above other players who could have helped, most notably Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey, who the Kansas City Chiefs selected at No. 63.

It remains to be seen how much of a role Atwell will have with the Rams' offense healthy again. The undersized receiver is currently behind Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek on the depth chart, so he may not get a ton of snaps once again. Furthermore, fifth-round pick Puka Nacua could push him for the fourth receiver spot.

Hopefully for Atwell, he gets to remain a part of the offense and prove how underappreciated he truly is. 

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