When the Los Angeles Rams selected former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua in the fifth round of last year’s NFL Draft, very few people could have predicted the type of performance he has been able to have this season.
But Nacua has easily been the top rookie wide receiver in the NFL during the 2023 campaign, and it’s helped the Rams clinch a spot in this season’s playoffs.
On Sunday, the rookie pass-catcher will have the opportunity to break multiple league records when he steps on the field for Los Angeles’ Week 18 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Nacua needs at least four catches and 29 receiving yards on Sunday to break the NFL’s rookie records for catches and yards in a single season (via Adam Schefter on Twitter).
Rams’ WR Puka Nacua needs four receptions to break Jaylen Waddle’s NFL rookie record of 104 receptions in 2021.
Nacua also needs 29 receiving yards to break Bill Groman’s NFL rookie record of 1,473 receiving yards in 1960.Rams want to get those records for Nacua. pic.twitter.com/CGus8RulDp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2024
Heading into Sunday, Nacua has already hauled in an astounding 101 passes for 1,445 yards and five touchdowns.
So even if he’s unable to have a record-setting performance this weekend, his first year in the NFL has already been very successful.
Looking back, it’s pretty crazy that Nacua wasn’t selected during the first four rounds of the 2023 draft.
With his performance for the Rams this season, there are definitely a number of teams that are kicking themselves for not taking a chance on him in last year’s draft.
At the same time, Nacua also landed in a very ideal situation.
He’s obviously a very talented pass-catcher, but having Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay as his offense’s play-caller and Matthew Stafford as his quarterback has certainly made it easier for the rookie to adjust to the pro level.
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