Random Ramsdom: Will the Rams Tutu Atwell have an impact against the Raiders?

The Los Angeles Rams drafted their first pick in the second round again in 2021 and with that pick LA selected WR Tutu Atwell from the University of Louisville. Atwell is joining a loaded group of proven WRs including Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, and DeSean Jackson.

Tutu, known for his unique speed and quickness will have a difficult time moving in for playing time or targets given the WRs above him on the depth. His best shot to showcase his skills as a WR has been and will be in the preseason games for now. Outside of WR, his next best chance to see playing time and ball carrying action is on punt return.

During the first preseason outing against the Los Angeles Chargers as a WR, Atwell was targeted four times and ended up with two receptions for 21 yards and his long being a 20 yarder. As a punt returner, he officially had one return for no yards, but he did have a much longer return attempt that was called back for a holding penalty.

Saturday August 21st, the Rams will host the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi stadium and Tutu will get another chance to make a case for regular season playing time. If Atwell can separate himself both literally and figuratively from the preseason tier of defenders, coach Sean McVay might be more compelled to declare Tutu the punt returner heading into the season or create a subset of plays designed to utilize Atwell’s abilities.

And now for today’s links:

RAMS NEWS:

10 Observations from Rams’ second joint practice with Raiders (Rams.com)

From the Podium: Sean McVay, Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald share takeaways from second joint practice with Raiders (Rams.com)

Jalen Ramsey sets the record straight about his matchup with Hunter Renfrow (RamsWire)

Rams CB Jalen Ramsey: ‘I still can’t find the plays where I was burnt multiple times’ by Hunter Renfrow (NFL.com)

NFL NEWS:

2021 NFL preseason, Week 2: What we learned from Thursday’s Patriots win over Eagles (NFL.com)

Patriots’ QB competition heats up as Cam Newton, Mac Jones impress in preseason win over Eagles (NFL.com)

Top 25 NFL free agents in 2022: Prospective class loaded with pass catchers and defensive backs (NFL.com)

Top New York Jets free-agent signing Carl Lawson ruptures Achilles, will miss 2021 season (ESPN)