Biggest strengths as a prospect
Atwell is an extremely agile and smart open-field runner that uses his excellent quickness to get open quickly for his quarterback. He can make plays out of the backfield and the slot and is a reliable target with soft hands. He plays similar to the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill without the strength and outside the ability of “the Cheetah.” Hill has great lower body strength and body control to play bigger than his stature, something that Atwell will need to improve going forward.
Agility is the key to Atwell’s game and could make him one of the better returners and offensive weapons early on at the NFL level. He could prove to be an excellent slot receiver and part-time, third-down back in the pros. J.D. McKissic of the Washington Football Team is another player that Atwell could emulate next season.
McKissic is another former college receiver who is now an excellent pass-catcher and route runner out of the backfield. In 2020, McKissic has become an incredibly reliable check-down target for quarterback Alex Smith and the Washington quarterbacks. He has racked up 58 catches at the RB position for Washington this season. That number ranks McKissic second at the position in receptions behind only New Orleans’ star Alvin Kamara. Atwell could use his receiving skills to carve out a similar niche for his NFL team.