Puka Nacua – 2023 Fantasy Football Outlook
Wide Receiver – BYU
6’2, 201 lbs
5th Round – 42nd Pick (177th Overall) – Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua started his college career at Washington. However, he had a limited role. The rookie receiver had only 16 receptions for 319 receiving yards and three touchdowns in three games during his two years at Washington.
After barely making an impact at Washington, Nacua transferred to BYU before the start of the 2021 season. The former Cougar had a breakout season, totaling 43 receptions for 805 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Furthermore, he finished second on the team in receptions and first in receiving yards and touchdowns that year.
Instead of declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft, Nacua returned to BYU for his senior season. The veteran receiver had 48 receptions for 625 receiving yards and five touchdowns that year. As a result, he led the team in receptions and receiving yards despite missing four games.
Meanwhile, BYU took advantage of Nacua’s strong athletic ability. The former Cougar had 39 rushing attempts for 357 yards and five touchdowns during his time at BYU. Furthermore, the veteran receiver had the second most rushing touchdowns on the team in 2022 despite finishing sixth in rushing attempts.
Fantasy Football Outlook
Despite being a fifth-round pick, Nacua could make a fantasy impact as a rookie. The former BYU star landed in an excellent situation with the Los Angeles Rams. Cooper Kupp will be 100% healthy after missing the second half of the 2022 season with a high ankle sprain. However, the rest of the wide receiver is sub-par at best. Therefore, Nacua could earn a starting role as a rookie.
The Rams traded away Allen Robinson this offseason, leaving Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Ben Skowronek as the top three wide receivers behind Kupp on the depth chart. However, the young trio of wide receivers hasn’t accomplished much in their NFL careers.
Jefferson had a productive 2021 season with 50 receptions on 89 targets for 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, he has struggled outside that one productive year, totaling 43 receptions on 75 targets for 589 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 27 games.
Meanwhile, Atwell was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he has struggled to earn consistent snaps. The former Louisville star didn’t have a target as a rookie. Last year Atwell had only 18 receptions on 35 targets for 298 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Despite being a seventh-round pick two years ago, Skowronek had the best 2022 season of the three wide receivers. The former Notre Dame receiver had 39 receptions on 61 targets for 376 receiving yards last year. He also scored a touchdown on his lone rushing attempt. More importantly, Skowronek finished third on the team in receptions, targets, and receiving yards.
Dynasty Outlook
Nacua could make an impact as a rookie, so he clearly has dynasty fantasy football value. The rookie receiver should earn snaps early in the season on jet sweep rushing attempts and trick plays.
Over the past five years, the Rams have called an average of 29.4 rushing attempts per season for their wide receivers. Furthermore, the top rushing wide receiver had 17 or more attempts in four of those five years.
Robert Woods had a critical role in the team’s rushing attack before Los Angeles traded him away. Nacua has a similar build and style of play. Fantasy players should expect the rookie to earn that role early in the season.
While he won’t turn into a fantasy star right away, the former BYU receiver has potential. Fantasy players should target him in the later rounds of their dynasty rookie drafts. Furthermore, Nacua could be a Week 1 waiver wire target in redraft leagues.
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