The Los Angeles Rams travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers this week on Thursday Night Football.
Each of these NFC West opponents is desperately attempting to pave their way into the playoffs but have a more difficult outlook than they hoped at this stage of the season. The Rams are also dealing with some injury concerns with Demarcus Robinson ($4,400) (shoulder) listed questionable for the matchup. Injuries to Puka Nacua ($11,000) and Cooper Kupp ($10,000) already plagued the early parts of the season, and the Rams have not been able to see their passing game fully constructed as they designed nearly as much as they hoped.
With Demarcus Robinson unable to practice on Wednesday and holding an uncertain outlook, here is a look at why Tutu Atwell ($2,600) could be the biggest beneficiary and the X-factor the Rams need.
Analysis
Looking at the production from the Rams’ wide receivers thus far, it is no surprise that Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua lead the way. In the nine games that Kupp has played, the former Offensive Player of the Year has tallied 63 receptions for 657 yards and six touchdowns. Across the eight games that Nacua has played, he has produced 54 receptions for 708 yards and three touchdowns.
Demarcus Robinson is next up on the depth chart, but the production has not quite matched this. So far this season, Robinson has started all 13 games for the Rams. He has been targeted 54 times with which he has produced 28 receptions for 433 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson leads the team in receiving touchdowns but has been held to two or fewer catches in nine of the 13 games he has played, including being held without a catch last week against the Bills.
In contrast, Tutu Atwell has started four of the 13 games this season while being active in every matchup. He has been targeted 50 times on the season, which he has converted into 35 receptions for 507 yards, but has not recorded a touchdown this year. He has tallied three or more receptions in seven of the 13 games this year, including two games with six catches.
This will be a favorable matchup for all of the Rams’ pass-catchers. While the 49ers still hold a reputation as a defensive-minded team, their play has not lived up to it this year. San Francisco ranks 21st in points allowed and 11th in passing touchdowns conceded. While they have had more success stopping the pass than the run, the 49ers have allowed 20+ points in 10 of their 13 games.
This is the second time these two teams have faced off this season. During the Rams’ 27-24 victory over the 49ers, Atwell recorded four receptions for 93 yards. In contrast, Robinson was held to one catch for 32 yards.
Bottom Line
Looking at the fantasy production, Demarcus Robinson has tallied 113.3 fantasy points or an average of 8.7 per game based on DraftKings scoring. In contrast, Tutu Atwell has produced 86.4 fantasy points on the season, or an average of 6.6 per game.
While Kupp and Nacua will headline the passing game, there is a major need for production out of the third wide receiver in the Rams’ lineup. Atwell has done more with less opportunity compared to Robinson this season. Unfortunately for Atwell, Robinson’s spot has been kept afloat by his team-leading receiving touchdown production.
If Robinson is unable to play, expect Atwell to seamlessly fit into his role and have a good chance at reaching paydirt for the first time this season. Count on Atwell to be involved in the offense regardless, and especially pop if Robinson is unable to play.
Keep your eye on the injury report and have Atwell circled as a significant value play that could win your DFS team the week if things go correctly.
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