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Les Snead not worried about Tutu Atwell's limited role, can see big punt return coming
Cameron DaSilva
October 6, 2021 8:40 am PT
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The Rams surprised a lot of fans and analysts in April when they spent their top draft pick on Tutu Atwell – a small but speedy receiver out of Louisville. It caught people off guard because the Rams already had Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson, and had just signed DeSean Jackson in free agency.
As expected, his role has been minimal through four games. Atwell has played two offensive snaps and returned four punts for 13 yards, getting very few opportunities to contribute. GM Les Snead isn’t worried, however, and knew Atwell might have a hard time carving out a role as a rookie.
“If we draft a skill player, always look at it, right? There’s an element of you’ve got to expect them to have somewhat of a redshirt year – just because our five eligibles, they’re veterans, they’re sophisticated,” he said on the “Coach McVay Show” this week. “I always go, hey, when a rookie comes in, it’s 101 and oh by the way, he’s in a PhD class. You’re going to be far behind, so that’s the neat thing is being able to get these players up to speed. Van Jefferson, partial redshirt last year. This year, letting him play with the, if you want to call it the ‘varsity,’ per se.”
Atwell’s clearest path to contributing this season is on special teams where he’s been the punt returner. Unfortunately, the Rams have only forced nine punts so Atwell’s chances to make an impact in the return game has been limited.
Based on his speed and the way the Rams have been blocking on punt returns, Snead wouldn’t be surprised if Atwell breaks off a long return at some point this season.
“The negative is teams have only punted nine times against us,” he said. “That’s a negative, right? It’d be nice if maybe he had nine more punts but I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point this year, he does have a breakout punt return at some point just because of his speed and the way we’re beginning to block for him.”
Atwell’s longest return is 9 yards but he hasn’t had much room to work because of the high-arching punts he’s had to field. If he finds some space in the open field, things could get interesting.
