Rookie phenom Puka Nacua is the storyline for the Rams through four weeks
When the Los Angeles Rams sent star wideout Cooper Kupp to the injured reserve, they didn’t know that things would be just fine with another wide receiver stepping up. When folks look at the NFL stat leaders and scroll over to receiving, they’ll be more than surprised to see rookie Puka Nacua in second behind […]
When the Los Angeles Rams sent star wideout Cooper Kupp to the injured reserve, they didn’t know that things would be just fine with another wide receiver stepping up.
When folks look at the NFL stat leaders and scroll over to receiving, they’ll be more than surprised to see rookie Puka Nacua in second behind only Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson.
Nacua already has the most catches through four games (39) in NFL history. His 501 receiving yards have him on pace to break 2,000 this season.
As a fifth-round pick, there’s not a soul that Nacua would be this guy already. If they say they did, they’re not telling the truth.
This past week, Nacua caught nine of ten targets for 163 receiving yards to beat the 151 he had in Week 2. In three of four games, Nacua has well over 100 yards receiving. In the other game, he still caught five passes for 72 yards.
With Kupp soon set to return, the numbers will have to resolve a bit one would think. But Nacua has finely set his spot as a No. 2 option on the team at worst already for Matthew Stafford. Interestingly enough, he has a similar play style to Kupp that could annoy defenses.
Stafford is a quarterback who utilizes his weapons. Tutu Atwell is having a breakout season, and tight end Tyler Higbee is playing well too. Nacua is going to fit in with that group and likely lead it with Kupp back.
With Kupp back in Week 5 or 6, and defenses worrying about him so much, defenses are going to have to put less attention on Nacua, that’s just how it’ll work. The big season is going to continue with that alone.
Low expectations were placed on the Rams going into the season and they’re 2-2. At a .500 record and a rookie leading the way on offense, there are plenty too reasons to be excited about the Rams making some kind of noise in 2023.
Puka Nacua a historic bright spot in Rams’ Week 2 loss
He has made a remarkable start.
