Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua Has 'Lot More Out There' After Stellar Rookie Start
When Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur gets home from games, he re-watches the television copy to gain a new perspective.
This time is, naturally, a learning opportunity for LaFleur - not just about the Rams' play calls but the way their players are wired.
Take, for instance, star rookie receiver Puka Nacua.
“When they zoom in on him, his face looks like he's in a certain zone that not a lot of people can get into," LaFleur said. "You can feel that on game day, but it's cool to stamp that when you get home on Sundays to see that's where he's really at.”
Nacua's intensity is one of his most redeeming qualities. He has several intangible traits that have drawn praise - but his on-field play remains the biggest story.
A fifth-round pick in April, Nacua impressed during the summer, but doubt remained about whether he could translate that into the regular season.
There are no such concerns anymore.
Through 10 games, Nacua ranks sixth in the league in receiving yards (897), eighth in targets (103) and ninth in receptions (69), all tops among rookies. He's also the rookie leader in total yards of scrimmage.
Nacua led the league in receptions through four weeks, carrying the load with star wideout Cooper Kupp on injured reserve. When Kupp returned, questions arose surrounding Nacua's ability to sustain his production.
He once again quieted all doubters - and has left Rams coach Sean McVay impressed along the way.
“I just think the consistency that he's played with, the toughness, the play energy, his ability to be able to just handle the ebbs and flows and all the different things that we put on him, make crunch time plays when we have to be able to have it," McVay said.
"But his production both in the run and in the pass game is incredible. Then just the body of work that he's had through a handful of games."
Nacua's ability to be a pro in terms of preparing his body each week has also turned heads, which is especially critical considering his physical, aggressive playstyle.
Still just 22 years young, Nacua hasn't changed who he is since arriving in Los Angeles this spring. If anything, he's even more open, including asking Kupp and quarterback Matthew Stafford questions during the week.
The Rams knew early that Nacua had a chance to be good ... but he continues to do things that surprise McVay, and his maturity may be among the biggest.
"He plays like a grown man, but he's got a great humility," McVay said. "You've seen the same exact incredible person that just wants to continue to learn. Incredibly high football character. You see a lot of ability, a lot of toughness, and I think he brings a physical presence to our offense that is a tremendous asset and value.”
The hot start set a high bar, and many newcomers experience a so-called rookie wall ... but Nacua really hasn't.
A two-game stretch in Weeks 8 and 9 during which he caught only six passes for 75 yards could qualify as one, but Stafford played just two of eight possible quarters due to a thumb injury.
The Rams' Week 10 bye came at a good time for both Nacua and the team as an entity, allowing a wounded roster to heal up and refocus on the stretch run.
LaFleur believes the break served Nacua well and he's ready to finish on a high note, something he started doing in Los Angeles' first game back from the bye.
In the Rams' comeback victory over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, Nacua caught five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. He continues to get more comfortable with the terminology and speed of the game, which LaFleur believes is his biggest area of growth.
“He's a football player in its truest form," LaFleur said. "He loves going out there and competing. He loves having the ball in his hands obviously and scoring touchdowns. But he loves the physical contact aspect of what this game brings to him too, like he needs that in his life. You can tell."
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua celebrates against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.
Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports
Nacua's impact on Los Angeles' offense extends far beyond his gaudy numbers and highlight reel plays in the passing game.
Instead, watch him fight as a perimeter blocker, helping spring runs for Kyren Williams and Royce Freeman, and his special attributes become clear.
“For a rookie, he’s about as comfortable as I've ever seen somebody," Stafford said. "He's a tone setter for our offense as well and just kind of the way he plays, the physicality and the tempo that he plays with. I'm sure his body feels not great on certain days, but he's been able to show up for us and that's huge."
But for as much of a staple as Nacua has become on the field, he's left his mark inside the Rams' locker room, as well.
"He's a joy to be around every single day," LaFleur said. "He brings it every single day. He pours his body and heart out for his teammates on the practice field and on Sunday. We're lucky to have him.”
Moving forward, LaFleur believes Nacua's only going to get better. He's in the process of understanding how to manage a 17-game season and all of the time demands of playing professional football.
The transition from college to the NFL is challenging in and of itself, but toss in the grind of the pre-draft process, and there's largely been no rest for any of the rookies in well over a year.
For Nacua and his high-effort, high-physicality play style, these effects are only further felt ... but he's managed to shine anyway.
And so, Nacua's statement-making rookie season is only the beginning - but he's already checked a considerable box while establishing himself as one of the league's brightest young stars.
“He showed his teammates, coaches (and) organization that this game wasn't going to be too big for him," LaFleur said. "You never know until you get out to Sundays, because it's just different, (but) when the lights are on, it seems like that's when he performs his best. There's a lot more out there for him.”
