He was a guy I
really liked in that Draft and I was thrilled when they took him. At 57th overall, that was right around where he was widely ranked.
He came in and was asked to be their WR4 as a rookie (19 catches). And then became a starter in 2021- and played well. Helped them win a Super Bowl. A good, not great receiver. Far from a liability.
Last year injuries really put him behind and by the time he finally saw the field 7 games into the season the offense had totally gone off the rails. Caught an unspectacular 24 passes their final 9 games.
I did expect more from him this year- I was thinking 2021 numbers (50 catches, 750-800 yards) and then he'd sign elsewhere and net them a late round 2025 comp. pick. But my assumption also was that Atwell was 50/50 to even make the roster and that Nacua would be down the depth chart as a rookie. So... He doesn't play ST so keeping him as a WR4 I guess didn't make a lot of sense. And if he wasn't going to see the field much the rest of the year then there goes the 2025 comp. pick. In that regard I understand moving on.
Anyway, just saying while it's a disappointing ending to his tenure he also was not a bust. I liked him then and still do. Circumstances happen.
