3 Rams Already on the Chopping Block Before OTAs
By Jovan Alford
The Los Angeles Rams are coming off an outstanding NFL draft, where they added 10 rookies to their roster.
Out of those 10 rookies, the Rams used three of their first four picks on the defensive side of the ball, which took major strides last season. In addition to what the team has done in free agency, Los Angeles should be poised to make a run in the NFC West and return to the playoffs for the second straight year.
However, before we can think about the regular season, the Rams will have more than a few roster decisions to make between now and then.
That said, multiple guys will be on the chopping block this summer in Los Angeles, with the influx of rookies, undrafted free agents, and newly signed players.
Some of the players we’ll highlight, might not be familiar to the casual NFL fan, but Rams fans know what some of these guys have and haven’t done in their LA tenure. Let’s discuss those players’ future with the organization.
1. Tutu Atwell, WR
With the Rams trading Ben Skowronek on Thursday to the Houston Texans, it appeared to be good news for Atwell and his hope to stick on the 53-man roster.
The 24-year-old wide receiver is fourth on the Rams’ depth chart behind Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Demarcus Robinson. However, Atwell possesses dynamic speed that Kupp or Nacua don’t have.
Atwell played a huge part in the Rams’ passing game earlier in the 2023 season when Kupp was injured. The former Louisville wide receiver had 22 receptions (35 targets) for 270 yards and a touchdown through the first four games of the 2023 season. Atwell also averaged 8.8 targets per game.
However, when Kupp returned to the field and the addition of Robinson happened, Atwell saw his production drop to 2.7 targets per game over the last 12 games.
Los Angeles re-signed Robinson, which doesn’t bode well for Atwell and the Rams have a core of young wide receivers such as Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington (rookie), Xavier Smith, and Drake Stoops (UDFA), who are competing for the last two spots at WR.
Last season, the Rams kept six wide receivers on the active roster. If Atwell doesn’t perform well in the summer, LA could release or trade him as some teams will take a chance on his speed despite his 5-foot-9, 165 lb. frame.