Tutu Atwell Too Low In Pecking Order For Fantasy Appeal
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is off the fantasy radar heading into Week 11 against the New England Patriots. Atwell played admirably in the absences of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua earlier this year, but he has fallen back down the depth chart upon their returns. He has caught just one pass in each of his last three games, playing less than 35 percent of the snaps in all of those contests. Even against a Patriots defense allowing the 11th-most catches and receiving yards to opposing receivers, Atwell can be ignored in fantasy football. In fact, he's droppable in redraft leagues with 14 or fewer teams.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell's team-high nine targets in Week 7 translated to six catches for 51 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders. Atwell achieved PPR relevance in recent weeks, averaging five catches and 71 yards per game going back to Week 3. The influx of targets he saw over the last two games (19 total) will be cut soon, though, as Cooper Kupp is finally the injury report and ready to play for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Atwell may yet find ways to produce in Week 8. Los Angeles gets the week started with a Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed at least one touchdown to different wide receivers in each of their last three games. Atwell projects as a WR5 and is a viable play in deeper leagues, particularly if Puka Nacua (knee) is unable to go.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell has now posted back-to-back weeks with WR3 finishes and even boasted a 90% snap share in their Week 4 loss against the Chicago Bears. Atwell hauled in four of his six targets for 82 yards in that contest while receiving a 21% target share. Since Cooper Kupp (ankle) has already been ruled out again, Atwell will look to capitalize on more opportunities against a Green Bay Packers secondary that has been quite generous to opposing receivers. In fact, the Packers give up the ninth-most fantasy points to receiver groups in half-PPR formats with an average of 30.3 fantasy points per game. That gives Atwell some nice flex appeal for fantasy managers in half or full-PPR formats that might be dealing with some injuries or bye weeks.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell had a team-high 82 receiving yards with four grabs in Sunday's loss to the Bears. Jordan Whittington had more receptions. However, Atwell was arguably the Rams' top wideout in Week 4. It's apparent he'll remain more involved while Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) remain sidelined, so he has some value as a flex option when Los Angeles meets the Packers in Week 5.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell had a team-high four catches for 93 yards in the Week 3 win over the 49ers. With Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) sidelined again for Sunday's meeting with the Chicago Bears, there is room for others to step up. Without question, Kyren Williams will get all the work he can handle. However, Atwell has earned the trust of his coaching staff, meaning he could see more than the 43 offensive snaps he had versus San Francisco. With that in mind, he's arguably the top wideout on the roster from a talent standpoint, so he warrants at least flex consideration for fantasy managers in Week 4.
Tutu Atwell Leads Rams In Receiving In Win Over 49ers
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell led all Rams' pass-catchers with 90 receiving yards on four catches in Week 3 against San Francisco. Atwell caught a 50-yard pass to help pad his stats in this one. He saw five targets which tied tight end Colby Parkinson for the team-high as the Rams came back to stun the 49ers. Atwell thrived as the slot receiver with Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) out. There is a lot of uncertainty with the Rams' receiving corps week-to-week as far as who will command the most targets between Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Jordan Whittington. Each of the foursome saw 3-plus targets in Week 3 but it was Atwell who was able to do the most damage. The unpredictability makes it tough to rely on any of the group as a fantasy option moving forward.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell entered the season as depth, but now could be a starter heading into Week 3. The Rams are without Puka Nacua (knee) and fellow wideout Cooper Kupp (ankle) is expected to miss an extended period of time. That being said, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Atwell figure to be the starting wideouts against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. On Sunday, Atwell hauled in three of his four targets for 48 yards in the loss. He doesn't have great fantasy value but could be a deep league option for fantasy managers in desperate need of help at wide receiver.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said this week that Tutu Atwell is ready to get more opportunities with Puka Nacua (knee) sidelined. McVay noted that with Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson as the outside receivers, Atwell, Tyler Johnson, and rookie Jordan Whittington all have similar skill sets that can complement Kupp and Robinson. While Johnson was the standout in Week 1 against the Lions once Nacua exited, McVay's thoughts hint that it could be Atwell who comes through in Week 2 against the Cardinals. It would be speculative to add Atwell because of these comments but it is a situation that is worth monitoring and could fluctuate each week while Nacua misses time. Right now Johnson is the popular waiver-wire add but maybe Atwell will be next week.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell finally started showing some of his potential last season, starting 14 games and looking to be a dangerous weapon early in the season. His effectiveness tapered off after a hot start, however, and the 24-year-old former second-rounder's role diminished down the stretch before missing time while in concussion protocol. The Rams are fairly loaded at WR, with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson set to line up as the wideouts in three-receiver sets. The emergence of rookie Jordan Whittington, along with a good training camp from journeyman Tyler Johnson, gives LA the kind of depth in the receiving corps where they could consider floating Atwell's name in trade talks. It's been reported the Rams are not looking to deal Atwell, but they still might be open to a respectable offer to improve other areas of the roster.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is losing ground on the competition for WR3, but even if he drops to fourth on the depth chart, the team still has a plan for him. "The Rams run enough 11 personnel that the fourth receiver should get a healthy run," writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Atwell's quickness and speed make him a unique matchup, and he can play all three receiver spots in the Rams' offense. So barring a great offer, the Rams would rather ride out his contract year with hopes that he maximizes his role." Atwell hasn't quite lived up to expectations in three years since the Rams drafted him with a second-round pick, but he did start to come on strong last year (39 catches, 483 yards, and three touchdowns) when Cooper Kupp missed time due to injury.
Tutu Atwell
• WR
•
Rams
