Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua Named to Midseason All-Rookie Team

Los Angeles Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua continues to be recognized for the strong start he's had to his NFL career.

It's rare that a non-quarterback wins the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, but Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has put himself in that discussion with a strong start to his first season. And whether he wins it or not, Nacua has gone from an unheralded fifth-round pick to a household name after just a couple months in the NFL. 

The latest recognition that Nacua received came in the form of a spot on the midseason All-Rookie Team put together by CBS Sports. Nacua was one of two rookie wideouts selected, along with Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens. 

"Nacua did his best Cooper Kupp impression during the All-Pro's injury absence to start the season, running as the true No. 1 in Sean McVay's offense and making play after play after play," CBS Sports wrote. "Now some of his productivity has come from the high-volume role he found himself in to begin his NFL career, yet in the four games since Kupp's return, the former BYU star has 22 receptions for 294 yards with a touchdown." 

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has had an excellent start to his NFL career.  :: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today

In total, Nacua has 61 catches for 795 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. Among all receivers, Nacua is tied with Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins for second in catches, trailing only Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills, who leads the NFL with 64 receptions. His 795 receiving yards are third in the NFL, behind only Hill (1,014) and A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles (939), both of whom are on pace to break the single-season receiving record. 

The most important thing for the Rams is that they seem to have found a building block with their fifth-round selection of the receiver. Nacua looked the part of a No. 1 option in McVay's offense while the aforementioned Kupp was out, and has still remained productive since the former Offensive Player of the Year has returned. 

Nacua's emergence gives you reason to believe that the Rams could return to contention sooner than expected. Los Angeles is slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for the first time since the franchise took quarterback Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016. If they were able to uncover Nacua in the fifth round, imagine what McVay and general manager Les Snead will be able to do with a selection in the top round.