MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tutu Atwell might feel like the new guy, something he hasn’t felt since his rookie season. He signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in the offseason and joins a fresh system after spending his first five years with the Los Angeles Rams.
However, the 26-year-old is at least familiar with one thing: Miami.
For the former star quarterback at Miami Northwestern, claiming his spot on the Dolphins squad could be more of a homecoming than a new beginning.
He’s coming aboard at a good time for newcomers. Atwell finds a team and a wide receiver room that doesn’t yet have an identity, giving him a chance to make a real impact, not only on the field but on the team’s culture in just his first season.
“He is a guy who has experience in the league to build that receiver room,” coach Jeff Hafley said. “He’s a guy that we thought could help us.”
On Wednesday in a mandatory minicamp, he showed just how much of a help he could be. He emerged as one of the main options for both quarterbacks, although Malik Washington, a top-three target on last year’s squad, and former Dallas Cowboys standout Jalen Tolbert are expected to compete for the starting job, as well.
With the offseason departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Atwell has a chance to compete for a fair share of passes in this new wide receiver corps. He has nearly the most professional experience in the room, behind only Jalen Reagor, who enters his sixth season and signed with the Dolphins on Tuesday.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” Atwell said. “Just learning how they run things here and do things here. Overall, great coaches, great teammates, and I’m happy to be here.”
The opportunity to start was one he didn’t have with the Rams, at least not in the midst of their push to the 2025 NFC Championship.
Behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams last season, Atwell struggled to see action and brought up the rear with just six receptions. This followed up his best NFL season in 2024, when he had 42 receptions on 62 targets for 562 yards.
“I’ve got a lot more in the tank,” he said. “I feel like I haven’t showed the league what I can do yet.”
Nonetheless, there is clearly a high ceiling, one that Hafley saw even way back in 2020.
The two have crossed paths before on opposite sides of the field. While Hafley was at the helm of Boston College and Atwell was playing at Louisville (where he made the move from quarterback to wide receiver), the two faced off, and Atwell made an impression.
“He was a problem in his slot, very talented player with the ball in his hand, made a lot of plays,” Hafley said.
The challenge for Atwell this season will be adjusting to a new system. The team will be adapting to the offense under first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was promoted under Hafley from his post as passing game coordinator.
With the front office, coaching and roster changes that have characterized the Dolphins’ offseason, Atwell will not be alone in making a transition.
“I think he’s adjusted well,” Hafley said. “ It’s kind of new for all the guys. Everybody’s adjusting to the new scheme.”
Most importantly, developing a connection with the quarterbacks will be a key to his success.
“I think they’ve taken another step,” Hafley said about the quarterback-receiver connections. “I thought (Tuesday) took another step, and they did a lot of good things.”
In Wednesday’s practice, they took another. After a quiet spring and summer so far, Atwell caught passes from both Malik Willis and projected backup quarterback Quinn Ewers, the latter a downfield ball. He went on to catch two back-to-back passes from Ewers for a 38-yard push.
Aside from the clear development in the connection with his quarterbacks, the day marked personal growth for Atwell, as he had arguably his best showing in a Dolphins jersey thus far.
“It feels great,” Atwell said. “I’m trying to make some good things happen so I can be here for the long run.”
