Aside from a handful of players, the Los Angeles Rams didn’t get a whole lot out of their rookie class in 2021. Ernest Jones was the biggest contributor at linebacker, but the Rams’ top pick, Tutu Atwell, didn’t touch the ball on offense. Jacob Harris didn’t, either, and both rookies suffered season-ending injuries after nine games played.
Heading into 2022, new offensive coordinator Liam Coen wants to maximize the return of those two players. He’s well aware of Atwell’s speed and knows that can be an asset on offense. It’s just a matter of keeping him healthy and finding where he fits best.
“Being able to watch his skill set and obviously, he can run,” Coen said on the “Rams Revealed” podcast. “He can really stretch the field and it’s about keeping him healthy at this point and trying to really maximize his potential and find out where he fits. What is his niche going to be within this system? And trying to really dive into his development over this offseason. Definitely an explosive player that we need to be able to get some mileage out of.”
The Rams tried to get Atwell involved on special teams, having him return 10 punts and five kickoffs. But he didn’t look particularly comfortable in either role, and as a second-round pick, the Rams need him to be more than a return specialist.
Harris was viewed as much more of a project offensively, given his lack of experience playing football; he’s only been playing since his senior year of high school. He’s a big target, standing 6-foot-5, and his size on the outside can certainly be an asset.
After previously being viewed as a tight end, Harris is expected to play wideout for the Rams, which is already a deep position. But Coen sees him as potentially being a matchup problem for opposing defenders.
“Jacob Harris, I’ve watched so many clips of him,” Coen said. “I was actually sent some film from here of how dynamic he was in the offseason last year. His movement skills, his ability to stretch the field. He could absolutely be a matchup problem on some linebackers and safeties that way. Again, just about his health and really trying to dive into his development both on and off the field this offseason.”
There’s no lack of athletes on offense for the Rams, from Cooper Kupp to Allen Robinson, but they really hope that Atwell and Harris can contribute in meaningful ways this year, too.
