TutuAtwell

News: 1 day agoCoach Sean McVay told reporters on Sunday that Atwell's absence in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers was "a credit to what (Atwell has) done, but it's also in response to Van Jefferson's availability," Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register reports.

Spin: McVay's comments, combined with neither Atwell nor Ben Skowronek seeing the field on Saturday, make it seem like Jefferson may not be ready in time for Week 1. Atwell has also seemingly locked up a spot on the final 53-man roster with his coach's insistence on keeping him out of action, and he and Skowronek could split reps as the No. 3 wide receiver until Jefferson's return.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: The 2021 season was essentially a redshirt year for Atwell. A surprising second-round pick, Atwell was held without a single target on 10 offensive snaps and did most of his work on special teams (15 returns) . The Louisville product is one of the tiniest players in the league at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds. He's a terrific athlete with outstanding speed, elusiveness and big-play ability, but he isn't going to handle contested situations very well at his size. Atwell was primarily a slot target (92%) in college and may be limited to a gadget/situational deep-threat role in the pros. Atwell is behind Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson II and Van Jefferson on the L.A. depth chart, so he has a ways to go for fantasy value. He's best as a dynasty stash.