Puka Nacua was a lesser-known receiver who was drafted by the Rams in the fifth round this year, a selection that had some draft experts excited but also one that was a relative unknown to casual fans.
Well, Nacua made his fun-to-say-name more widely recognizable to everyone in the NFL world on Sunday when he stood out with an excellent debut for Los Angeles. In his first game as a pro, the rookie caught 10 passes for 119 yards and helped lead the Rams to a 30-13 win over the Seahawks.
Buy Rams TicketsHe was targeted a whopping 15 times by Matthew Stafford, a number no one saw coming, and he took full advantage of his opportunities by making play after play. He led the team in targets, receptions and was tied with Tutu Atwell for the team-high in receiving yards, but the impressive stats and facts don’t end there.
First rookie with 100-plus yards in debut since Ja'Marr Chase
Puka Nacua absolutely went OFF in his NFL debut against the Seahawks:
• 15 targets (led team)
• 10 receptions (led team)
• 119 yards (t-most on team)
• 11.9 AVGNacua is now the first rookie WR to go over 100 receiving in their NFL debut since Ja’Marr Chase (2021).
Nacua… pic.twitter.com/fskl2wdbFY
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 10, 2023
Fourth player in NFL history with 10 catches, 100 yards in debut
Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 119 receiving yards tonight.
He becomes the 4th player in NFL history to have 10 receptions and over 100 receiving yards in his 1st career game.
2023 Puka Nacua
2018 Keke Coutee
2003 Anquan Boldin
1964 Sid Blanks pic.twitter.com/tQWPtwUg0T— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 10, 2023
Most yards ever by a Rams receiver in NFL debut
With 120 receiving yards in today’s game, Puka Nacua recorded the most receiving yards in a rookie debut in Rams history. He is the 2nd player drafted in the 5th round or later with 100+ receiving yards in his NFL debut. pic.twitter.com/0xtcGwOaiX
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) September 10, 2023
Most targets ever by a rookie in Week 1
Most targets by a rookie WR in Week 1
[since targets first became a stat in 1992]1 PUKA NACUA, 2023 (15)
2 Anquan Boldin, 2003 (14)
2 Antonio Bryant, 2002 (14)
2 Kenbrell Thompkins, 2013 (14)
2 Shaun McDonald, 2003 (14)
6 Rashad Greene, 2015 (13)
6 Dez Bryant, 2010 (13)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 11, 2023
Fourth-highest target share by a rookie in Week 1
Highest target share by a rookie WR in Week 1
[since targets first became a stat in 1992]1. Antonio Bryant, 2002 (46.7%)
2. Zay Flowers, 2023 (45.5%)
3. Eddie Royal, 2008 (44.0%)
4. Puka Nacua, 2023 (39.5%)
5. Michael Westbrook, 1995 (33.3%)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 11, 2023
He and Tutu Atwell are youngest Rams WR duo with 100 yards each since 1958
Per FOX broadcast, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell are the first Rams duo age 23 or younger with 100-plus receiving yards each since 1958 (Del Shofner and Lamar Lundy)
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 10, 2023
Fourth-most receiving yards in NFL this season
Top 5 players in receiving yards this season
Tyreek Hill
Justin Jefferson
Brandon Aiyuk
Puka Nacua
Tutu Atwell— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) September 11, 2023
