Pick #57 - Rams select WR Tutu Atwell

View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1388297996547223553?s=21

 

[Loyal]

I'm here to help Bishop Tutu put on some weight.....

 

[So Ram]

I hope not.

There’s pickle sporting his draft day Attire! Yeah - hope he is successful.I’ll give him an above average rating as a person.

 

[FrantikRam]

Annual reminder that the draft is for the future. DJax is gone after this year, obviously, he adds explosion and might allow us to move Woods or Kupp next year if needed (as gets predicted every year)

 

[rams1fan]

Next pick is long snapper

 

[Ram65]

OK up to 160 Lbs. Maybe he can get to 170 Lbs. He took some hits going over the middle. He can learn some things from Kupp, Woods and Jackson this year. Trying to look on the positive side. He does track the ball well.

 

[XXXIVwin]

A few positives...

1. His real name is "Chatarius", so there's another option for me to torture my wife with "weird Rams names quizzes.". (Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is a toughie, but she's locked in on Pisa Tinoisamoa and Brandon Manumaleuna)

2. Tutu skipped his senior year, right? Woulda been a monster season

3. He's all the way up to 160, if you add in those baggy sweatpants....

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

The Rams probably will give him a tryout as a returner whether he has experience or not. He’s got the speed and elusiveness to succeed as a return specialist.

Maybe not at KR, they take more punishment usually, but at Punt Returner, then YES. He makes one move, and he's GONE.

 

[Classic Rams]

He was born during the GSOT climb to winning the SB. (I feel old)

Both Austin and Avery had better college stats, but Tutu only played 3 years.

Not mad at the pick, just surprised. Taking a wait-and-see as usual. I never pop a head vein over a draft pick, even when they took Brian Leonard.

 

[So Ram]

Why does this remind me of one of those out-of-control GM ego picks like Trung Candidate or Tavon Austin?

I definitely hope I'm wrong.

It was funny seeing Demoff shake the camara & Mcvay not looking happy at all. Yeah - just shows it isn’t worth it to get so excited for The Draft sometimes.
2020 IMO was awesome. I’d take Lewis,Akers, & Jefferson over this pick.

 

[Ram65]

Tutu Atwell 2021 NFL Draft Profile

The Louisville wide receiver declared early for the league, and is expected to be the first Cardinal taken in the 2021 NFL Draft.

www.si.com

Tutu Atwell 2021 NFL Draft Profile​

The Louisville wide receiver declared early for the league, and is expected to be the first Cardinal taken in the 2021 NFL Draft.
MATTHEW MCGAVICAPR 21, 2021
(Photo of Tutu Atwell: Charles LeClaire - USA TODAY Sports)

Background​

Born Oct. 7, 1999 (age 21) to father Chatarius Atwell and mother La'Kia Firsher. Father played wide receiver at Minnesota from 1994 to 1997, setting the school record for receptions. A native of Miami, Atwell attended Northwestern HS where he was a four-year starter at quarterback. He lead them to 2017 Class 6A Championship, and was named the Miami-Dade County Player of the Year.
Despite passing for over 4,000 yards and rushing for 1,500 over the course of his high school career, Atwell received attention mainly from Group of Five schools, and his only other Power Five offer came from Illinois. A three-star prospect who was regarded as the No. 728 recruit nationally and No. 110 in the state of Florida, he converted to wide receiver upon his arrival at Louisville.
Atwell had a solid freshman year in Bobby Petrino's final year as Louisville's head coach. He appeared in all 12 games, finsihed fourth on team with 24 receptions, good for 406 receiving yards yards and a pair of touchdowns.
When Scott Satterfield was brought in to guide the Cardinals starting with the 2019 season, he broke out. In 13 games and 11 starts, Atwell led the ACC in receiving yards with 1,276 receiving yards - breaking the single season school record of 1,265 set by Harry Douglas in 2007. His 12 receiving touchdowns also led the conference, resulting in him being named First team All-ACC.
Thanks in part to defenses keying on him, as well as injuries, Atwell had a slight dip in production during his junior year. In nine total games, he finished with just 625 yards and seven touchdowns, but still led the Cardinals in receptions with 46. Atwell elected to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Measurements and Pro Day​

Louisville lists Atwell at 5'9" and 165 pounds. At Louisville's Pro Day, he measured in at 5 feet and 8 7/8 inches (5087) and 155 pounds. He also had 8 7/8" hands and 29 2/8″ arms, along with a 69 6/8" wingspan. Long ran the 40-yard dash in 4.32, the short shuttle in 4.09 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.87 seconds. Finally, Atwell leapt 9 feet and 9 inches (117″) in the broad jump and 33″ in the vertical. Based on these measurements and numbers, Atwell earned a Relative Athletic Score of 6.37 out of 10, ranking 911th out of 2511 wide receivers from 1987 through 2021 (64th percentile).

Scouting Report​

Strengths

• Blazing straight line speed, can beat coverage over the top on vertical routes with relative ease.
• YAC potential is off the charts. No matter where he gets the ball, Atwell is always a home run threat thanks to his agility with the ball in his hands.
• Great release at the line of scrimmage, can reach max speed in a short amount of time thanks to excellent acceleration.

Weaknesses

• Extremely small frame. Can easily be overpowered or influenced by defenders more physical than him.
• Size could ultimately lead to durability concerns at the next level, especially considering injuries sustained in 2020.
• Average route runner, also needs to expand route tree if he wants to be more than just a vertical threat or gadget player at the next level.
• Relatively small catch radius can sometimes lead to drops, also has a tendency to rely on body catches.

NFL Comparison
Darnell Mooney (Tulane - 2016-19, Chicago Bears - 2020)

 

[DrRage46]

Horrible horrible pick,come on les wtf are you doing.This one really pisses me off.What a waste of a 2nd rd pick.

 

[RamsSince1969]

A few positives...

1. His real name is "Chatarius", so there's another option for me to torture my wife with "weird Rams names quizzes.". (Obgonnia Okoronkwo is a toughie, but she's locked in on Pisa Tinoisamoa and Brandon Manumaleuna)

2. Tutu skipped his senior year, right? Woulda been a monster season

3. He's all the way up to 160, if you add in those baggy sweatpants....

They didn't miss on Kupp, so, I'm going to try and be positive and hope they found another diamond in the rough. Shine on you crazy diamond!

 

[Soul Surfer]

I'm here to help Bishop Tutu put on some weight.....

Good Lord I hope that's Photoshopped.

It looks like his body never caught up with his head size.

 

[Ramer]

I always expect the unexpected with these guys, but 5' 9 and 150 pounds? That does not sound like an NFL player, I don't care how fast he is. I'm sure he'll be fun to watch... I just thought the Rams could have possibly gotten an impact player.... O-line, CB, LB, etc.

Hope not... but looks like a One good hit from retirement type of player

 

[Loyal]

Good Lord I hope that's Photoshopped.

It looks like his body never caught up with his head size.

It's our new Center if Meinerz isn't available...

 

[TSFH Fan]

Under McVay, the Rams seemed to have hit on their WR acquisitions.
People hated the Woods signing, right? He turned out ok. Kupp and Jefferson seem ok.
Sammy Watkins wasn't totally terrible, he was just less than hoped. Brandin Cooks was pretty useful for a couple of years.
So, I'm not excited by this pick, but I'm willing to pretend to be optimistic.

On the other hand, yes, I know highlight vids are not how you want to evaluate a player. That being said, I thought Tavon's college reels showed more and looked better than Tutu's. Tavon seemed shiftier and more elusive. Tutu has better timed speed than Tavon coming out, but it looks like Tavon had more actual game speed. So, if this guy turns out to be a poor man's Tavon . . . yeesh. Time will tell.

 

[Ellard80]

well.... cant say i love the pick - but our team was lacking in team speed last year - especially on offfense.

So from that stand point it makes sense.

 

[dolphinlover123]

Not sure Tutu sees much of the field (other than special teams) if Woods, Kupp, and Jefferson stay healthy. At least this year.

 

[Varg6]

I wonder if we would've picked Eskridge if the damn Seahawks didn't nab him a pick before us.

Can't say I'm in love with the pick, but as always, trying to trust McVay + Snead here.

 

[dieterbrock]

So, we really love this pick huh?