Rams Taking Notice of 'Pretty Special' Rookie Puka Nacua
Every NFL season, new players emerge as strong contributors and stars to make a name for themselves. Sometimes, that player comes seemingly out of nowhere... But usually, offseason workouts are a good indicator of how a player is developing... at least in the eyes of the coaching staff and teammates.
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua might be the latest example, as he's even caught the attention of teammate Cooper Kupp.
"He's pretty special," Kupp said of Nacua. "If he can stay on a good trajectory, he's going to be a very good football player in this league. I love the way that he attacks each day. He's got a great feel for the game, great feel for leverage, running routes."
Nacua, who caught 91 passes for 1,430 yards and 13 touchdowns across two seasons at BYU after transferring from Washington, has enjoyed a hot start during Rams' OTAs. In his first NFL offseason, the fifth-round draft pick is "asking the right questions," according to Kupp. Quarterback Matthew Stafford said Nacua's energy and consistency make him stand out.
ESPN picked Nacua as a surprising player this spring:
Nacua, a fifth-round draft pick from BYU, earned steady praise from coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and fellow wideout Cooper Kupp. Nacua seems to have picked up the offense quickly and has a knack for getting open, which bodes well for carving out a role in a receiving corps that lacks certainty behind Kupp. -- Dan Greenspan
One year removed from an incredibly productive season in which receiver Kupp totaled 2,400 receiving yards on its Super Bowl run, L.A. hopes for a bounce-back season. With some depth in Van Jefferson and Tyler Higbee, the Rams have a crowded receiver room vying for playing time.
Missing an identity (and a lot of players) on offense in last season's 5-12 campaign, L.A. has the third-worst odds to win the NFC West division this season. In order to bounce back, the Rams must be able to rely on their passing game.
Nacua is making a case for reps. If the rookie can contribute and push the veterans, the Rams' offense could greatly benefit in 2023.
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