Tyreek Hill Lists Rams' Puka Nacua Among NFL's Top WRs
As just a rookie fifth-round pick, Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua had an incredible season by any standard.
Expectations weren't very high for the BYU product, but Nacua wound up taking the NFL world by storm. He caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns, setting rookie records in the former two stats. He then had a monster playoff game against the Detroit Lions, catching nine passes for 181 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort.
For his incredible debut season, Nacua earned a Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro nod. Unfortunately, he missed out on winning Offensive Rookie of the Year to Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, but Nacua's first season was still a smashing success.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Even some of the game's premier receivers already see Nacua as being on their level. During a recent appearance on the Punch Line Podcast with Marlon Humphrey, Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who finished second in Offensive Player of the Year voting last season, named Nacua among his top five receivers in the league.
“Top five wideouts, no order… It’s (tough) because there’s a lot of guys that produce," Hill said. "But I’m gonna go Mike (Evans), Keenan Allen… This year? This year… Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, A.J. Brown, Puka Nacua and CeeDee Lamb.”
There are some very obvious omissions from Hill's list, including Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase, both of whom dealt with injuries last season. While it's just one player's opinion, Nacua earning such high respect from someone of Hill's caliber goes to show just how impressive his rookie campaign was.
With the Rams looking to build on their surprise playoff appearance next season, fans are eagerly waiting to see what Nacua does for his follow-up act.
