NFL Week 8 Rookie Stock Watch: Puka Nacua Rising, Michael Mayer Falling

The Rams’ receiver is on pace for an NFL-record 1,826 yards, while the Raiders’ tight end failed to repeat his breakout performance.

This was a big week for rookies.

In our rising section, there was a slew of pass catchers including some who didn’t make the cut such as the Patriots’ Demario Douglas, the Seahawks’ Jake Bobo and the Ravens’ Zay Flowers. In a class where no receivers were taken in the first 15 picks, there has been a ton of value shown through seven weeks.

Meanwhile, Tyson Bagent got his first NFL start for the Bears and won going away against the Raiders, while a certain first-round corner continues to have a tough season in the nation’s capital.

All that and much more in our Week 8 rookie stock watch.

Rising

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Nacua has 752 receiving yards, putting him on pace for a staggering 1,826.

Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: Holding steady

Nacua could prove to be one of the great draft steals. A fifth-rounder out of BYU, the Utah native had another enormous game Sunday, accounting for 154 yards on eight receptions. He has 752 receiving yards, putting him on pace for a staggering 1,826. That would be a record for a first-year receiver, breaking Bill Groman’s 1,473 yards with the Houston Oilers in 1960.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

Last Week: Not rated

After totaling 118 receiving yards through six games, Kincaid broke out against the Patriots. The first-round pick was targeted eight times, catching all of them for 75 yards, helping Buffalo rally in New England before it ultimately lost with 12 seconds left.

Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: Rising

Rice has clearly become the second option in Kansas City’s passing attack behind tight end Travis Kelce. Rice caught his third touchdown of the year Sunday, part of a five-catch, 60-yard performance. Rice is on pace for 740 yards this season. That would be the most by any Chiefs rookie receiver under coach Andy Reid, including Tyreek Hill. 

Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Chicago Bears

Last Week: Not rated

Stevenson hasn’t gotten much acclaim this season as part of a bad Bears defense. However, he’s getting starter reps with Chicago as a second-round choice, and he shined against the Raiders. Stevenson had six tackles and three passes defensed, one more than he had all year going into Sunday.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Last Week: Not rated

Gibbs has been maddening for many fantasy owners, wanting to see him get a full workload. In a 38–6 defeat in Baltimore, Gibbs finally got his touches, going for 126 total yards and a touchdown on 20 touches. With starter David Montgomery out, expect Gibbs to continue getting more playing time.

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: Not rated

Downs had a fantastic afternoon against the top-ranked Browns defense. The former North Carolina star notched his first 100-yard game, going for 125 yards on five receptions, including a touchdown. With 401 yards and two scores this season, he’s proving a nice tandem alongside Michael Pittman Jr.

Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Last week: Holding steady

Addison continues to be one of the best rookies, regardless of position. Coming into Monday night, the USC product had 277 receiving yards alongside four touchdowns. Then he torched the 49ers, adding 123 yards and two touchdowns. The night vaulted him into the top 35 among all pass catchers in yardage, while only Tyreek Hill has more receiving touchdowns.

Holding stead

Tyson Bagent, QB, Chicago Bears

Bagent threw for 162 yards against the Raiders, but avoided making a big mistake.

Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: Not rated

Bagent’s numbers weren’t incredible. He threw for 162 yards on 5.6 yards per attempt with a touchdown, but he didn’t make a big mistake. No turnovers and a surprisingly tough Bears defense led to an easy 30–12 victory, giving the Shepherd product a victory in his starting debut as an undrafted free agent.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

Last Week: Not rated

LaPorta has been the best rookie tight end this season, and had another noteworthy game in a forgettable afternoon for Detroit. With six catches for 52 yards, LaPorta now has 377 yards on the campaign. Combined with receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, the Lions have weapons galore for Jared Goff.

Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers

Last Week: Not rated

Musgrave has quietly done a nice job for Green Bay. With 22 catches for 189 yards on the year (four catches, 30 yards at Denver), Musgrave has made an impact alongside other first- and second-year weapons with the Packers, including receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. 

Falling

Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Last Week: Not rated

It seemed Mayer had a breakout game in Week 6 against the Patriots, going for five catches and 75 yards. However, he totaled two receptions on four targets for 13 yards in a loss at Chicago. Outside of his big day against New England, Mayer has five receptions for 54 yards all year.

Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Denver Broncos

Last Week: Not rated

Mims has been a nice secondary weapon at receiver who has also shown up in the return game. Yet against the Packers, he was a net zero without a catch on one target while totaling -11 rushing yards and 11 return yards. Coach Sean Payton hasn’t gotten Mims involved enough with just 13 targets this season.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr., CB, Washington Commanders

Last Week: Not rated

Forbes was selected with the 16th pick, one choice ahead of Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez. Forbes played zero snaps against the Falcons in Week 6, and, while he played Sunday against the Giants, he failed to make the stat sheet. Washington desperately needs more from its first-round corner.