Solid Starter
Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville – Round 2 
I’m taking a long-term view with this Atwell projection as a solid starter because he is currently buried on the depth chart. With Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson and DeSean Jackson ahead of him, Atwell may not see a lot of targets during his rookie season. Over time, however, I could see his speed and playmaking ability increasing his snap count and eventually seeing him take over as the Rams’ starting slot receiver.
Atwell was one of the nation’s most explosive receiving weapons over the past few seasons. He flashed his big-play ability as a freshman when he averaged 17 yards per reception with 24 catches for 406 yards and two scores. Atwell was even better as a sophomore, averaging 18.2 yards per catch while snatching 70 passes for 1,276 yards with 12 touchdowns. He then played well for the Cardinals in 2020 before opting out of the remainder of the season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. He notched 46 receptions for 625 yards and seven touchdowns for his year.
There is no doubt Atwell has some serious speed for the NFL. He is a true home run hitter who is a threat to score on any touch of the ball. Atwell is extremely fast, possessing the ability to run past defenders and explode down the field for a long gain. With his great burst, serious acceleration, and shiftiness, Atwell can generate quick separation, and he bolts downfield in a blur. He also has quality vision and feel, allowing him to track the ball well, and he shows an advanced ability to make over-the-shoulder receptions. Atwell runs quality routes and possesses sudden athleticism. If Atwell (5-8, 155) were 20 pounds heavier and a little taller, he would have been a first-round pick due to his elite speed.
DeSean Jackson is basically a 1-year addition for the Rams, while Atwell is their long-term speed receiver. Eventually, contracts and age could force out Kupp or Woods, leaving Jefferson and Atwell as starters alongside the holdover weapon. Atwell is an explosive playmaker, and he offers deep speed that is very hard to find. Atwell has a good chance to emerge as a solid starting slot receiver in a year or two.
2020: Van Jefferson, WR
2019: Greg Gaines, DT
2018: Joseph Noteboom, OT
2017: Cooper Kupp, WR
2016: Pharoh Cooper, WR
2015: Jamon Brown, G
2014: Aaron Donald, DT
2013: Stedman Bailey, WR
Most Likely To Bust
Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M – Round 4 
The Rams’ selections of Atwell in the second round and Ernest Jones in the third round look like safe players to be contributors. Both might not turn into a massive boom picks, but they do not look like dangerous potential busts either. There could be more bust potential with Brown, who the Rams took with the 12th choice of the fourth round. Brown has a good skill set, but team sources were concerned about his work ethic, makeup, and consistency in college.
Along with working hard to adapt to the NFL, Brown is going to have to be patient for playing time. Aaron Donald is the lynchpin of the Rams’ defense. and veteran A’Shawn Robinson is in line to replace Michael Brockers. Teams play nickel defense without a nose tackle around 70 percent of their snaps, in some games more, so Brown may not see many opportunities to rotate into the game with other tackles like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gains and Earnest Brown IV on the roster.
Brown has the physical tools of a second- or third-round pick, so he was worth the gamble of a fourth-round pick, but I’m not sure his makeup will translate to NFL success. Of the Rams’ first three picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, Brown looks like the riskiest.
2020: Terrell Lewis, DE
2019: Bobby Evans, G
2018: Brian Allen, C
2017: John Johnson, S
2016: Jared Goff, QB
2015: Rob Havenstein, OT
2014: Tre Mason, RB
2013: T.J. McDonald, S
Potential Boom Pick
NONE The Rams were without a first-round pick thanks to the Jalen Ramsey trade, and I do not see boom pick potential with their selections from Day 2. This could be a common concern, as the Rams are going to be without first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 thanks to the Matthew Stafford deal. Last year, I think they made up for not having a first-rounder by taking a first-round talent in Cam Akers, who I thought was one of the best values in the 2020 draft class. I don’t see Atwell being a boom pick this year because the depth chart is crowded, sticking him as a backup behind Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson and DeSean Jackson.
2020: Cam Akers, RB
2019: Taylor Rapp, S
2018: Micah Kiser, LB
2017: Gerald Everett, TE
2016: Mike Thomas, WR
2015: Todd Gurley, RB
2014: Greg Robinson, OT
2013: Tavon Austin, WR
Future Depth Player
Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas – Round 4 
The Rams needed some cornerback depth after loses in free agency, and Rochell could be a solid backup for them. Rochell (6-0, 193) has good size and was a competitive corner in college. While he may lack elite speed, he could be a solid rotational corner to match up against big receivers. Along with being a potential No. 3 or 4 cornerback, Rochell could be a solid special teams contributor.
2020: Terrell Burgess, S
2019: Darrell Henderson, RB
2018: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB
2017: Josh Reynolds, WR
2016: Josh Forrest, LB
2015: Sean Mannion, QB
2014: E.J. Gaines, CB
2013: Zac Stacy, RB
Walt’s 2021 NFL Draft Grades:
57. Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville – B- Grade
Tutu Atwell is someone I’ve had slotted in this range for months, so I’m fine with this pick. Atwell is very small (5-8, 155), but he’s lightning quick, and Sean McVay will make good use of him in the offense. That said, I would’ve liked to have seen the Rams address their blocking or secondary, as this seems like a luxury pick.
103. Ernest Jones, LB, South Carolina – D Grade
The Rams have had a blind spot when it comes to linebackers. This was a position of need entering the draft, and that remains the case, Ernest Jones was a tackling machine at South Carolina, but I didn’t think he translated into the NFL, so I never had him in any of my mock drafts. I could be wrong, but the Rams’ bad history with linebackers suggests otherwise.
117. Bobby Brown, DT, Texas A&M – B Grade
Bobby Brown has some amazing athleticism, so the Rams are swinging for the fences with this pick. It would make sense for them to address defensive tackle after losing Michael Brockers. I had Brown a bit later than this, but there’s no denying Brown’s potential.
130. Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas – A- Grade
The Rams lost some defensive backs this offseason, so they had to address both positions. Robert Rochell is someone I’ve had in the fourth round of my mock draft, so I like the value the Rams are getting with this selection.
141. Jacob Harris, WR, Central Florida – F Grade
Jacob Harris is very athletic. And that’s about it. Harris doesn’t fill a need at all, especially in the wake of the Tutu Atwell pick, and I never had him in any of my mock drafts.
174. Earnest Brown, DE/DT, Northwestern – D Grade
Another defensive lineman makes sense to compensate for the Michael Brockers departure, but I didn’t have Earnest Brown as a draftable prospect. The Rams could have done much better than this.
233. Jake Funk, RB, Maryland – B Grade
The Rams lost Malcolm Brown, so the Rams wanted to add a third running back to join Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. I mocked Jake Funk in the seventh round, so this makes sense.
249. Ben Skowronek, WR, Notre Dame – B Grade
I don’t think I would have gone with a third receiver if I were the Rams, but this is pick No. 249, so it’s not a big deal. I had Ben Skowronek mocked eight picks earlier than this, so the range is obviously something with which I agree.
252. Chris Garrett, LB, Concordia – C+ Grade
Chris Garrett was not on my radar at all. He’s a mediocre athlete who will have to contribute on special teams to make the roster. The Rams could’ve done better, but we’re now in the 250s.
2021 NFL Draft Team Grade: C. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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