Puka Nacua has destroyed NFL defenses in his first two games, which is hardly what fifth-round choices are expected to accomplish.
In the first two weeks of the season, the Los Angeles Rams receiver has made a quick start, collecting a league-high 25 catches for 266 yards. The rookie has 15 catches on 20 targets for 147 yards in Sunday’s 30-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Puka is a “Stud” apparently for coach Sean McVay
According to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Rams head coach Sean McVay remarked after the contest
“He’s a stud,”
“The game makes sense to him. Physically and mentally tough. Works really hard. He’s very inquisitive. He asks a lot of questions, and he’s got great guys to be able to lean on.
“His rapport with Matthew , where they’re able to bounce things off of one another, I think that’s been a real positive, and Puka’s going to continue to improve.”
Nacua would rather have wins than records to his name
Nacua’s first season has seen him set records for the first two weeks. His 15 catches on Sunday set a rookie record for the most in a game. His 25 total catches are the most by a rookie in any two-game timeframe in NFL history (Odell Beckham Jr. had 23 during two December games in 2014).
Cooper Kupp (2022), Miles Austin (2010), Isaac Bruce (1998), and Andre Rison (1994) are the only players with 10-plus receptions and 100-plus receiving yards in each of their teams’ first two games of a season. Nacua is the first rookie to accomplish this feat in the Super Bowl era.
The novice, on the other hand, wished he had been breaking records in a victory rather than a narrow loss. He said
“I’m not really aware of kind of what’s going on,”
“But my success will come when the team wins, so I’m excited for us to be able to come back and capitalize when we are able to win. So it was sweet last week. I got things to improve on, so it’s cool and all, but the most important thing is getting that W.”
We have observed this throughout Stafford’s career with players like Calvin Johnson, Kupp, and others. Stafford isn’t afraid to force-feed receivers he believes will create plays. The veteran quarterback’s quick chemistry with a youngster selected in the fifth round is the shocking aspect. But as long as Nacua keeps repaying that trust, Stafford will undoubtedly continue to throw it his way.
The targets’ composition will be a key factor once Kupp returns from injury. Although they’re probably going to decline a little bit, Puka has shown he has long-term promise in McVay’s offence.
