One name sticks out in the 2023 NFL season: Puka Nacua. You may be less aware of the rookie wide receiver thing if you didn’t spend any time watching the NFL this season. Nacua has been breaking records and earning attention for his spectacular efforts, which included against the Indianapolis Colts.Â
Let’s analyze Puka Nacua in more detail all the NFL records he has been breaking.
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Getting to Know Puka Nacua
The Los Angeles Rams selected Puka Nacua in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Coming into the season, a lot of rookie wide receivers had received more attention than him. In fact, Tre Tucker, Tyler Scott, plus Derius Davies, who together had just seven receptions in the first four weeks of the season, were chosen before him as the 20th wide receiver overall in the draft.
Nacua attended Washington for his first two years of college before moving to BYU. He recorded an amazing 91 receptions for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns over the course of his two seasons at BYU.
He continued; he also produced 357 running yards and five additional touchdowns. Although it had such strong college numbers, Nacua’s draft standing was not as high as many believed.
The NFL Draft Surprise
The Rams sеlеctеd Nacua with thе 177th choicе on thе third day of thе draft, much to thе amazеmеnt of NFL fans. Whеn looking back, many pеoplе marvеl at how a playеr with such potential could havе fallеn so far in thе draft.
Breaking NFL Records
Nacua has generated a lot of buzz since the 2023 season began with his outstanding performances. In only four weeks of play, he already has 501 receiving yards and 39 receptions. He outperforms seasoned players like Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers, who has 35 receptions, with a league-high 39 receptions.
Only Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has more receiving yards than Nacua this year. In addition, Nacua set records for a player’s first four NFL games with his 39 catches and 501 receiving yards. History is being made right now.
Harlon Hill last achieved such a feat in 1954 while playing for the Chicago Bears and Nacua is just the second player in NFL history to do so during each of their first four weeks.
Nacua’s 15 receptions in a single game during the Rams’ Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers is another incredible record he set. The success is exceptional for a young wide receiver.
Looking Ahead
Nacua’s outstanding efforts in the first four weeks have strengthened his place as an essential weapon for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, even if the team’s standout wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, is expected to make his injury-related comeback.
The NFL will surely continue to follow Puka Nacua with great enthusiasm even though his target share could change with Kupp’s return.