Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua has become an overnight star through his first two games of his NFL career. The BYU product has been so dominant that he’s already setting rookie receiving records.
Nacua caught his 20th pass in today’s Week 2 battle against the San Francisco 49ers, setting the record for most receptions by a rookie through the first two games of his career. The previous record holder was Earl Cooper, who caught 19 passes through his first two games with the 49ers in 1980.
Puka Nacua is the 1st player in NFL history to have 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in each of his first 2 career games. pic.twitter.com/85x3FBnFaP
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 17, 2023
Unless you’re a BYU fan, you probably never heard of the fifth-round draft pick until his breakout debut against the Seahawks last Saturday. With star wide receiver Cooper Kupp on injured reserve, Nacua stepped up in a big way, bringing in 10 of 15 targets for 119 yards. He was actually matched in yardage by Tutu Atwell, another early-season revelation for a Rams offense that seemed poised to struggle. Nacua has become the go-to target for quarterback Matthew Stafford and if he keeps this up, he’ll be well on his way to an All-Pro campaign right out the gate.
For those of you looking to add him to your fantasy football team, well, you’re probably too late and should have submitted a waiver bid last week. The rookie was the hottest fantasy commodity on the market following his debut, going from just a 3.7% rostership a week ago to 73.7% right now. If you’re lucky enough to be in the 26.3% of leagues where he isn’t on a roster, submit a bid IMMEDIATELY.