The Los Angeles Rams may not have been surprised when Puka Nacua became one of the best rookies in the NFL. 

But the rest of the NFL world was. 

Nacua was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and recently, ESPN did a redraft, and Nacua didn't make it out of the top five. 

In ESPN's redraft, Nacua ends up with the Indianapolis Colts at pick No. 4. 

Here is why the Colts would nab Nacua early, according to  Stephen Holder. 

"The Colts' quarterback need would have remained glaring had the picks played out this way, but Indianapolis was never nearly as high on Will Levis as some believed. Bryce Young is worth considering, but Nacua is more of a sure thing. He would give the Colts an elite skill player to pair with their eventual franchise quarterback — whenever they finally land one. Nacua broke the NFL's single-season rookie record for receiving yards (1,486) and receptions (105)."

The players taken ahead of Nacua include C.J. Stroud, who in the redraft went to the Carolina Panthers No. 1, Anthony Richardson, who went to the Houston Texans No. 2, and Will Anderson Jr., who landed with the Arizona Cardinals again.

The Rams were a few steps ahead of the rest of the league when it came to Nacua's abilities. The connection Nacua forged with Matthew Stafford made a difference during the early months of the season when the Rams were missing veteran star Cooper Kupp.  

Los Angeles is looking to build on the rookie season the Nacua enjoyed in 2023. But ESPN is giving the young star more validation, which he rightfully deserves. 

Cooper Kupp reveals Puka Nacua’s secret to success

Puka Nacua’s rookie season has been one for the history books.