Few could have expected the kind of season that former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua has had when the Los Angeles Rams took him in the fifth round of last year’s NFL Draft.
However, Nacua has undoubtedly been the best rookie wide receiver in the NFL in 2023, and that has enabled the Rams to secure a postseason berth this year.
When the rookie pass-catcher takes the field on Sunday in Los Angeles’ Week 18 clash against the San Francisco 49ers, he will have the chance to break many league records.
To shatter the NFL rookie records for catches and yards in a single season, Nacua will need to have at least four catches and 29 receiving yards on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (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
Nacua has already hauled in an incredible 101 catches for 1,445 yards and five touchdowns as of Sunday.
Therefore, even if he isn’t able to establish a record this weekend, his NFL career has gone extremely well thus far.
In retrospect, it seems absurd that Nacua was not chosen in the first four rounds of the 2023 selection.
Many clubs are regretting not taking a shot on him in the previous year’s draft after seeing how well he has played for the Rams this season.
Concurrently, Nacua also found herself in a really favorable circumstance.
Although he is undoubtedly a very skilled pass-catcher, the rookie’s transition to the NFL has undoubtedly been facilitated by having Matthew Stafford as quarterback and Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay as the play-caller.
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