The season being put forth by Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua has the potential to be one of the best of any rookie receiver in NFL history and he continues to rack up the accomplishments as this year goes on.
The NFL announced that Nacua was named NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 7, marking the third time this season the Rams receiver has taken home the award:
.@RamsNFL @AsapPuka has been voted as the @Pepsi Zero Sugar @NFL Rookie of Week 7: https://t.co/QwOX9Z1YAN #ROTW
— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 26, 2023
Nakua took home the award, which he also won in Weeks 2 and 4, by winning the vote over Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs, Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison and New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks. Nacua totaled eight catches for 154 yards in the Rams’ contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So far this season, Nacua has 58 catches for 752 yards and two touchdowns and the Rams rookie is on pace to break some major receiving records if he can keep this up. Bill Groman holds the record for rookie receiving yards with 1,473 with the Houston Oilers back in 1960. The record for receptions by a rookie is held by Miami Dolphins star Jaylen Waddle, who brought in 104 back in 2021. Both are on pace to fall if Nakua can keep up at this rate.
There was some concern that the return of Cooper Kupp might potentially push Nacua into the background, but that has not been the case as Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have kept Nacua heavily involved. In fact, in the three games since Kupp has returned, Nacua actually has more targets with 30 to Kupp’s 28 and 19 receptions to Kupp’s 17.
Whatever the case, the Rams have a rising star on their hands in Puka Nacua and he continues to rack up the accomplishments during what could very well be a historic season.
Rams’ Puka Nacua joins Ja’Marr Chase in NFL History
Nacua’s performance in Week 7 also put the Rams receiver in some elite company. Nacua joined Cincinnati Bengal’s star Ja’Marr Chase as the only players in NFL history to have 700 receiving yards in their first seven games.
That season saw Chase finish with 1,455 yards, the second most by a rookie receiver in league history, trailing just Groman’s mark. Nacua certainly has the ability to surpass both of those numbers, but even if he doesn’t he is already placing himself amongst elite company.
