LA Rams 2021 NFL Draft: 5 post-draft surprises

II – Rams drafted Tutu Atwell first, a player many expected to be available later

Even if the LA Rams were dead set on drafting Tutu Atwell, was it so critical for the Rams to grab him so much higher than even the most optimistic draft profiles projected him? Well, that’s always the risk for any NFL team that plays the NFL Draft according to their own board. And the Rams most certainly do that when they are drafting.

Per his NFL Draft profile, Atwell was projected to fall to the fourth round. Since the Rams had picked at 88 and 103, they likely could have seen Atwell on the board when the team picked later in the draft.  The selection of Atwell, while it could certainly be a fortuitous choice, seemed to be reactionary due to the Seahawks selection of D’Wayne Eskridge at 56.

I like this pick. I think that Tutu Atwell can be a solid performer for the LA Rams. But yes, the weight is a bit of a concern, as is the unreliability of his 40-time. Atwell can grow and develop into an NFL-caliber player. Perhaps in some ways, he already is. After all, several draft profiles described Atwell leaving yards on the field because the quarterback was unable to get the ball to him.

I just don’t like where the Rams chose Atwell.  Unless he is a day one starter (which is pushing it), he was likely more valuable with the LA Rams’ next pick at 88, and there is every reason to believe that he would still be on the board in round three as well. The Rams could conceivably justify holding back Atwell in round three. Choosing him with their only second-round pick almost dictates that he will be a significant contributor to the team in 2021.

On paper, it seemed as though the LA Rams had more urgent needs for immediate contributors on defense, like defensive backs.