Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell could be a trade candidate as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. After playing in just 10 snaps as a rookie, the wideout quietly established himself as a decent depth receiver over the past two seasons. While he didn’t take the world by storm, the Louisville product recorded 57 receptions for 781 yards and four touchdowns on 102 targets since 2022, proving himself to be a legitimate deep threat in the offense.
Despite his solid seasons, it’s hard to see how he fits into the Rams current puzzle at wide receiver. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are the unquestioned stars in the offense, while Demarcus Robinson is back for another year. This leaves Atwell buried on the depth chart, so perhaps the Rams want to get something for the wideout while they still can. For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that Los Angeles doesn’t want to trade Tutu Atwell, but that’s the type of thing teams leak to reports in an attempt to get the other 31 organizations to increase their offer. It shouldn’t take much to get Atwell, and the Chargers and Panthers are in a position to take a risk on the veteran.
Chargers, Panthers, Could Trade For Tutu Atwell
The Los Angeles Chargers entered training camp with a serious need at wide receiver. Now, they’re desperate for one. Quentin Johnston has continued to disappoint with lowlight after lowlight, second-round pick Ladd McConkey is battling injury, and star quarterback Justin Herbert is sidelined with a foot injury. Jim Harbaugh refuses to elaborate on McConkey’s condition, so we don’t know how long he’ll be sidelined. What we do know, however, is that nobody could succeed with this underwhelming group of receivers.
Tutu Atwell won’t singlehandedly save this unit, but the trade candidate could provide some much-needed speed for this offense. Free agent signee DJ Chark seems to be doing well in camp, but he’s not the type of player who can handle a large target share. Bringing in Atwell will provide Herbert (or whoever the quarterback is) with two players capable of beating defenses with speed. When combined with a (hopefully) healthy McConkey, then perhaps this offense will have enough makeshift pieces to form a functioning passing attack.
Helping Bryce Young
After setting him up to fail as a rookie, the Carolina Panthers have done everything in their power to turn Bryce Young into a franchise quarterback. The team fortified the interior offensive line, traded for Diontae Johnson, and traded up to select wide receiver Xavier Legette. These players will help, but Carolina could still improve the room with a Tutu Atwell trade.
Jonathan Mingo had a disappointing rookie season and veteran Terrace Marshall should not make the roster. Perhaps someone like undrafted free agent Jalen Coker can make a positive impact as the fourth option on the depth chart, but if the Panthers want a more proven option, they could trade for Tutu Atwell. Even with all their improvements to the position, Carolina could still use a speed threat capable of getting past the defense.
Main Photo: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports
