Nacua Talks With Raiders' Crosby About Kupp

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua talked with Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby about Cooper Kupp's influence on him.

Veteran mentorship helps many young players develop their games on the field and navigate life in the NFL off of it. 

That’s why Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby offers advice whenever possible. He volunteered and coached at Von Miller’s pass-rush summit last summer, explaining how he attacks an offensive lineman when they come off the snap. 

Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua needed advice and support as a fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. He got that from a former Offensive Player of the Year in Cooper Kupp. 

Nacua talked about having Kupp's mentorship throughout his rookie season when he joined Crosby on the latest episode of his podcast, "The Rush with Maxx Crosby."

“They weren’t intentionally not talking to me, but they just rolled through quickly,” Nacua said about other Rams receivers not including him in their meetings. “They’re fast-forwarding, pausing, they’re looking at a specific thing, and then, they sometimes would say it, and then, they’re not.

“Coop would be in there; he would take the time to talk to me, especially in those first five weeks before he came back. I was blessed to get a luxury treatment as a fifth-rounder. I remember I had hurt my ribs after Week 1 in Seattle, but I didn’t practice all the way up to us playing the 49ers until Friday in full helmets when we’re finishing the game plan.

“So, me and Coop are watching everybody practice, and we’re talking. I love basketball; I’m talking to him all the time, like, ‘I’d hit you with this crossover.’ I guess that was my way to asking him about route running because Coop’s kind of a quiet guy. I don’t know if you’ve ever talked to him, but he’s the man. One of the best route runners of all time, a student of the game. Unbelievable.”

Nacua went on to have an impressive rookie season, likely due to some teaching from Kupp, who is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Crosby is also looking to bring along defensive end Tyree Wilson, hoping he can have a big jump in production in his second season. 

Click here to watch the full podcast episode with Crosby and Nacua.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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