Where’s Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua Fit Among PFF Highest-Graded Rookies?
Through the first month of the 2023 season, Los Angeles Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua has played at an All-Pro level, as he leads the NFL with 39 receptions and trails only Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears (who has played five games) with his 501 receiving yards.
Naturally, Pro Football Focus says that Nacua has been one of the best players thus far in the 2023 NFL Draft class, grading him at No. 3 overall.
"Every network covering the NFL has talked about the various rookie receiving records Nacua has claimed this season, but even that may only scratch the surface," PFF wrote. "A look at his PFF grading adds another layer of detail."
"His 87.7 receiving grade through the first four weeks is second to only Justin Jefferson (90.6) among rookie receivers since 2006. Additionally, his 12 plays of 15 or more yards are the most by a rookie in PFF history over that span."
Puka Nacua has had a very strong start to his NFL career for the Los Angeles Rams.
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The only two rookies graded higher than Nacua are Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Carter. Even if he comes back down to Earth a bit, it's clear that the Rams have struck gold with Nacua, considering they landed him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with the 177th overall pick.
Former Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp will return for a Week 5 matchup with the Eagles after missing the first month of the season with a hamstring injury.
That may hurt Nacua from a fantasy standpoint, but from the time that Odell Beckham Jr. tore his ACL in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI, the Rams were too reliant on Kupp to be Superman every game.
Even if Nacua becomes the No. 2 wideout for the Rams now, the guess here is quarterback Matthew Stafford will be very glad to finally have a complementary target to Kupp again.
