Rams WR Puka Nacua is defying all odds and shattering previous NFL records this season.

Puka was selected in the 5th round of the NFL draft, with no expectations to even contribute on his team. He entered the Rams buried in the depth chart behind the likes of Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, and Tutu Atwell. Being the fourth wide receiver (if even) on a team which only supported one productive wideout – Cooper Kupp, Nacua had a problem. Even if he were to defy all odds and work his way into the second wide receiver spot, he would be stepping into a role in which Jefferson was only able to amass 370 yards in. All of these combined seemed like a recipe for a lackluster rookie season.

Wide receivers drafted in the 5th round or later rarely see NFL success, especially in their rookie seasons. Since 2019, there have been 20 wide receivers selected in the 5th+ rounds of the NFL draft. None of those 20 even had a start remotely close to how Puka Nacua has started. Here is a graph showing how 5th+ round rookie wide receivers have done in their first five games since 2019.

Keep in mind that 10 out of those 20 wide receivers put up 0 yards in their first 5 games, so I did not include them on the graph. Now, here is that same graph with Nacua. 

The graph speaks for itself. But we can add some numbers as well. The last 20 wide receivers drafted in the late rounds of the NFL draft put up an average of 7.66 yards in their first five games. Nacua averaged 114.4 yards.

Many people were saying Nacua’s start was “fraudulent” as he was filling the role of Cooper Kupp, who had the highest target share in the league. When week 5 came and Kupp would return to the field, many were doubting Pukas ability to still even contribute on this Rams team. Not only has he been contributing alongside Kupp, he has put up 294 yards in 4 games. Pukas unprecedented season is just beginning, and we are all witnessing the makings of the next NFL superstar.

-Elliott Z.

(Image courtesy of Lindsey Wasson)