Currently sitting in the basement of the NFC West with a 1-4 record, the Los Angeles Rams could start to consider a Tutu Atwell trade. With veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford under center, the Rams entered the season hoping to build on their playoff birth from one season earlier. Even with Aaron Donald retired, the team had enough talent to push for January football if everything went right. Instead, just about everything has gone wrong, as the team endured multiple injuries to prominent players, turning them into one of the worst teams in the league.
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua battling injuries, second-round pick Tutu Atwell had his chance to shine and bolster his trade value. Through five games, the former second-round pick has recorded 17 receptions for 281 yards, establishing himself as a reliable deep threat while averaging 16.5 yards per reception. Just months away from free agency, the Rams could send him to the highest bidder and maximize his return. He’s far from the biggest name on the wide receiver trade market, but teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers could still pursue him.
Ravens, Chargers Could Target Rams Tutu Atwell In Trade
At 4-2, the Baltimore Ravens overcame their slow start to the season thanks to their high-powered offense. Derrick Henry is in the midst of what could be the best season of his career, while quarterback Lamar Jackson has improved on his MVP-winning 2023 season. When these two are on, nobody can stop Baltimore’s combined attack. However, bad games happen to everyone, and the Ravens margin of error is remarkably thin. Outside of Jackson and Henry, 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers is the only consistent option on the passing attack. Baltimore doesn’t need to trade for a superstar like Davante Adams, but they could use a reliable complementary player like Tutu Atwell.
Nelson Agholor was supposed to be Baltimore’s one-dimensional deep threat, but age appears to have caught up with the veteran. Through six games, the former first-round pick has just seven receptions for 114 yards and no touchdowns. Fourth-round pick DeVontez Walker, meanwhile, has yet to appear in a regular season game. The Ravens never found a true replacement for Marquise Brown’s speed, but they could find one with a Tutu Atwell trade. Maybe he doesn’t have a 1,000-yard season in his tank, but the Rams wideout can be a reliable third option who can bring some verticality to this offense.
More Help For Justin Herbert
The Chargers shallow wide receiver depth chart took another blow when promising wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston left the field for portions of Week 6’s win over the Denver Broncos. While both players returned to the field, their health status is something to monitor moving forward. Los Angeles is 3-2 thanks to their strong defense and reliable run game, but they must add some firepower to the offense to go on a deep playoff run. While it’s hard to envision a head coach like Jim Harbaugh breaking the bank for someone like Amari Cooper, he could pull off a low-risk trade for Tutu Atwell.
Los Angeles must rebuild their wide receiver room, and a Tutu Atwell trade could give them an inside look at a player who could be a part of their long-term future. McConkey is the slot receiver of the future, but the Chargers are still looking for a reliable deep threat. Atwell is considerably better than DJ Chark at this point in their respective careers, and his deep speed should threaten defenses and discourage safeties from stacking the box against the run.
Main Photo: Robert Hanashiro – USA Today Sports
