Rams can’t make Tutu Atwell mistake with Zachariah Branch

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Zachariah Branch #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during first half of the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Caesars Superdome on January 1, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images For much of the past decade, the Los Angeles Rams have had a near-toxic relationship when it comes to undersized wide receivers. From Tavon Austin to Tutu Atwell, the Rams simply haven’t been able to make the undersized, fast wide receiver work in the offense.

With Atwell now out of the picture after leaving in free agency, one popular choice at wide receiver in the draft from fans has been Georgia’s Zachariah Branch. While Branch is an exciting player, we’ve been here before. After trading up to draft Tavon Austin eighth overall, the Rams tried to find a role for the player with the most exciting college highlight reel of all-time.

Austin eclipsed 500 yards as a receiver once and his best season came in 2015 when he had 907 total yards from scrimmage. It was after that 2015 season that Austin signed an extension. He was traded in 2018.

In 2021, the Rams passed on a need at center and Creed Humphrey and instead took another undersized, fast wide receiver in Tutu Atwell. Atwell provided more as a receiver than Austin, especially in terms of route-running, but the idea with the two players was the same. The second-round pick eclipsed 500 yards just once with the Rams and signed a fully-guaranteed $10 million contract before 2025 only to have six receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown.