Puka Nacua Has Sean McVay's Vote For Rookie of the Year

Los Angeles Rams star rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua continued his incredible season on Thursday Night Football vs. the Rams

When the Los Angeles Rams drafted Puka Nacua with the 177th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, it is hard to believe they expected this.

On Thursday Night Football vs. the New Orleans Saints, Nacua continued his unprecedented rookie campaign with nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed twice for 16 yards in the Rams critical 30-22 win over New Orleans.

And when asked about his star receiver's rookie of the year candidacy, Rams coach Sean McVay had a pretty clear stance on the matter. 

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“He’s outstanding," McVay said after the win. "You see around the league, you know, (C.J.) Stroud has had a great year, but this guy is – he would get my vote. And he’s really special. But the best part about him is he doesn’t worry about those things. He worries about just being a great teammate, continuing to improve his game, and sure love this team. And he’s one of those guys that you really love.”

But just how good has Nacua been? Historically good. 

As of Thursday night, Nacua has 96 catches for 1,327 yards and five touchdowns. For context, he now sits fifth all-time in terms of most productive rookie campaigns behind Bill Groman, (1960), Ja'marr Chase (2021), Justin Jefferson (2020), and Anquan Bolden (2003).

And if Nacua holds up his average of 88.5 yards per game over the last two weeks of the regular season, he will eclipse Groman (1,473 yards) for the most receiving yards all-time by a rookie wideout.

That said, Nacua is only concerned with the playoffs. 

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“I think it’s cool,” Nacua said via Myles Simmons after the game. “It’s funny when my family sends [me] stuff. But I guess it’s not my main goal... What (Sean McVay) has been preaching is these games that we’re playing in December, that they’re meaningful. The playoffs have already begun for us. So to be kind of in that playoff mindset already, it’s definitely something I’m not used to — playing late in December. So, finding ways to adjust to that. But it’s been super fun.”

The Rams do still have quite a bit of work to do on that front, sitting in the sixth spot in the NFC with two games remaining. 

But with the possible NFL Rookie of the Year on their side, accompanied by the rest of the surging Rams offense, their odds of making it to the playoffs will be favorable.