2021 NFL Draft outlook as a mid-rounder
If Atwell is not able to fight off stronger slot corners in the NFL, he will be limited to a mid-to-late round selection next April. I can see Atwell making a living as a returner and potential slot receiver or third-down receiving back for an NFL team next season. He has the talent and speed to play on Sundays, but his potential to be drafted high is capped by his lack of ideal size at the receiver position.
A few potential NFL fits for Atwell would be the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atwell can return to his roots in Florida as a dynamic return man for two clubs that desperately need special teams help. The Dolphins need offensive weapons badly, while both teams could also use a capable receiving back.
The Dolphins have been using a combination of Jakeem Grant, Mack Hollins, and rookies Lynn Bowden Jr. and Malcolm Perry at receiver following the loss of second-year WR Preston Williams to injury. However, they could use another playmaker such as Atwell in the group. The Louisville product could be without a true position to start his NFL career, but his talent alone should land him between rounds 4 and 5 in next April’s 2021 NFL Draft.