Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua took the NFL world by storm in Week 1 with a terrific performance, recording 119 receiving yards in an upset win for his team. And he somehow topped that in Week 2, leading to him breaking an NFL record in the process.
Nacua, a fifth-round rookie out of BYU, did not come into the league with uber-high expectations. But he has settled in as the Rams top receiver, breaking out with a ridiculous game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Nacua shined yet again, recording a whopping 15 receptions for 147 yards against the 49ers. This marks 25 receptions in just the first two games of his NFL career, which shatters the previous record for most receptions in the first two games of an NFL career, previously held by Earl Cooper in 1980.
Seems good, @AsapPuka 😏 pic.twitter.com/tTlJg9PCOt
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
It’s pretty unbelievable to see how great Nacua has looked this early in his NFL career. And fans were singing his praises on social media shortly after the game.
You know. I've never seen Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in a game at the same time pic.twitter.com/tFtBKw0cRf
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) September 17, 2023
Puka Nacua now has 25 catches for 266 yards through the first 2 games of his career.
That puts him on pace for 213 catches and 2,261 yards.
The rookie records are 104 catches (Waddle) and 1,473 yards (Groman).
The Rams look like they found a SUPERSTAR in their 5th rounder. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/CqBnLaHG2Q
— Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) September 17, 2023
This is insane, about a week ago, almost no one knew who Puka Nacua was and now he's the 1st player in NFL history with 10+ catches and 100+ yards in each of his first 2 career games.https://t.co/sFHKpdsM0N pic.twitter.com/y0U1vukcLi
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2023
Whatever media hype Puka Nacua is getting, it's not enough. Through his first two games, the fifth round rookie has 25 catches for 266 yards. Unreal start to the year. pic.twitter.com/AVoHb6HApu
— Go On Volt (@Go_On_Volt) September 17, 2023
Puka Nacua reception props the last two weeks:
Wk 1: O/U 2.5 (Finished with 10)
Wk 2: O/U 4.5 (Finished with 16)
His 26 catches are the most ever for a player through their first two career games.
The previous record was 19.
— Covers (@Covers) September 17, 2023
Puka Nacua didn’t know he was signing up for this kind of workload all season pic.twitter.com/jA47uv5JjH
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 17, 2023
It obviously remains to be seen how Nacua’s role with the Rams changes once star wide receiver Cooper Kupp returns from injury.
But he has very clearly carved out a role for himself in this offense, and appears to be amongst the top young wide receivers in all of football.
Nakua will look to keep his positive momentum going when the Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals and star quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 3.
