Has Rams Star Puka Nacua Ascended Past C.J. Stroud For Rookie of the Year?

Houston Texans first-year sensation C.J. Stroud might be on the outside looking in for the NFL Rookie of the Year Award.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has had one of the best rookie campaigns for his position in NFL history. 

But just how good has Stroud been? So good that the NFL Rookie of the Year award seemed like a sure bet. In fact, there were even whispers of MVP talk at one point. 

Heading into Week 16, Stroud currently sits 12th all-time among rookies with 3,631 yards and fourth in passer rating at 98.7. 

He is also second all-time among rookies in passing yards per game, meaning that if he kept up his averages, he would have come close to breaking Andrew Luck's single-season record. 

Clutch Points

However, a concussion may have now derailed that campaign, with Stroud now set to miss his second-straight game this Sunday. 

As a result, Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver sensation Puka Nacua now seems to be in pole position for the Award.

On Thursday Night Football vs. the New Orleans Saints, Nacua continued his unprecedented rookie campaign with nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown 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 acknowledged Stroud's success this season but thinks Nacua deserves the nod.

“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.”

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Obviously, McVay will be a little biased toward his own player. But just how good has Nacua been? Well, just like Stroud, historically good.

As of Thursday night, Nacua has 96 catches for 1,327 yards and five touchdowns this season. For context, he now sits fifth all-time in terms of most productive rookie receiver 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.

Unfortunately for Stroud, due to his injury situation, Nacua may have just pulled ahead in the race for that award. 

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That said, neither player is even remotely focused on winning a postseason accolade at the moment. 

Instead, they are trying to help their respective teams make a push for a Wild Card spot. 

“I think it’s cool,” Nacua said Thursday, via Myles Simmons. "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.”