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Either you believe that Tutu Atwell is one of the most gifted exceptions of all-time, or potentially you’re just concerned that the Rams picked the lightest wide receiver to be drafted since 1999 with the 57th overall pick.
LA Rams pick Louisville's Tutu Atwell
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) May 1, 2021
The lightest WR drafted since 1999 at 149 lbs pic.twitter.com/g0Dyp16xpj
Despite drafting Van Jefferson in 2020 with their absolute favorite pick to use on a receiver — 57th — the Rams opted to go for another wideout in round two this year. It confused many people at the time, which is understandable because plenty of experts would gladly tell you that they projected Atwell as a fourth round pick, but moments before the choice I made this comment that presciently sums up my feelings on the choice:
Why the Rams might go offense here:
They just traded for Matthew Stafford. That has to change how they want to do things offensively. Things are gonna be much different than they were with Jared Goff. It’s not easy to necessarily find all those parts in free agency. Changes could be coming on offense, so they might need the right kind of OL or the right kind of tight end or the right kind of receiver. You just don’t know until you know but it makes sense to me to maybe start moving some parts around the change from Goff to Stafford.
If it’s not OL, maybe it’s a speed threat to take the top off in case DeSean can’t go. But a trade down is absolutely possible.
The reaction to the pick on Twitter was more like, “Haha.”
If the Rams win the Super Bowl and go to Disney World, TuTu Atwell won't even be allowed to go on all the rides..
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) May 1, 2021
TUTU ATWELL WENT AHEAD OF TERRACE MARSHALL THE NFL IS UNSERIOUS
— Sam Federman (JD for MVP, McAvoy For Norris) (@PowerHourSam) May 1, 2021
Very excited for Tutu Atwell. He's gonna be a really fun player for the Rams pic.twitter.com/3M2aAjvnDE
— David Hamilton fan account (@Davey__Hamilton) May 1, 2021
Congratulations to my guy TuTu Atwell draftee of the L.A. Rams. Connor has all his UofL gear after every game lol same size @c5_atwell pic.twitter.com/5bLyqTlmeY
— Charles McGhee (@CharlesMcGhee10) May 1, 2021
Tutu Atwell the first time he meets Aaron Donald in the locker room: pic.twitter.com/6784F6YDD9
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) May 1, 2021
Rams swing and miss. Tutu Atwell could have been had 50 picks later.
— Ramblin' Fan (@RamblinFan) May 1, 2021
Draft announcers: "The Rams need blue collar players, offensive linemen to protect Matthew Stafford."
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) May 1, 2021
Rams drafty speedy WR Tutu Atwell.
Draft announcers: "Great pick!"
I have a sixth-round grade on Tutu Atwell
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBogenDTSN) May 1, 2021
Of course, there were also positive responses to drafting Atwell because HE’S A VERY GOOD PROSPECT. Let’s not forget that there’s good reason to believe that he has a real chance to not only be effective, but to be a star with Sean McVay as his coach and Matthew Stafford as his quarterback.
What everyone doesn't realize is, if you feed Tutu Atwell a few In-N-Out burgers, he's Az Hakim. Matthew Stafford has to be so excited to get to work.
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) May 1, 2021
“He’ll take your breath away watching how fast he is.”
— Cameron Teague (@cj_teague) May 1, 2021
Louisville speedster Tutu Atwell is first Cardinal off the board at No. 57 to the Rams https://t.co/9yxJl3IAaD
Rams draft WR Tutu Atwell with the No. 57 pick in the #NFLDraft2021
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) May 1, 2021
Atwell has 1,997 slot receiving yards since 2018 (6th most in CFB) pic.twitter.com/F9p0UhkJMo
The Rams said we're gonna get more explosive back in January. They tossed Goff to the wolves. They paid DeSean Jackson a bag. They drafted TuTu Atwell early. Trade for #9.
— Sosa K (@QBsMVP) May 1, 2021
Listen. They told us what they wanted to do. This offense has a lot of explosion and speed now. No excuses.
Can he play?
PURE SPEED
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) May 1, 2021
The @RamsNFL select @UofLFootball's Tutu Atwell with the 57th pick. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/BG7Af9apam
Tutu Atwell is LA bound! The former 3⭐️ led Miami Northwestern to a Class 6A Championship at QB @c5_atwell pic.twitter.com/AxFQNYmYU4
— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) May 1, 2021