Fifth-round pick who set the NFL rookie receiving record and just made his first All-Pro team in 2025.
Puka Nacua's 2025 season was the breakout most expected after his record-setting rookie year. 1,715 receiving yards, second in the NFL behind only the Rams' new MVP quarterback. First-team All-Pro for the first time. Offensive Player of the Year finalist before losing to Matthew Stafford in MVP voting. He's the only receiver Sean McVay has ever had who fits the entire route tree without coverage shifts.
Path to the league
Started his college career at Washington, transferred to BYU, where he averaged 17.2 yards per catch as a junior. Slid to pick 177 in the 2023 draft, the second-to-last pick of the fifth round, partly due to injury concerns and partly due to BYU's run-heavy offense. Caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards as a rookie, both NFL records for a first-year player.
Career highlights
2025 First-team All-Pro. NFL rookie records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) in 2023. Two-time Pro Bowler (2023, 2025). 2023 second-team All-Pro. 2025 NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 4 against Indianapolis: 13 catches, 170 yards).
2025 season recap
1,715 receiving yards on 110 catches with 11 touchdowns. Led the NFL with 503 receiving yards in September alone. Combined with Stafford's career-best 46 TD season to power the Rams to a 13-4 record and NFC West title. Lost in the NFC Championship Game to Detroit.
What to watch in 2026
Davante Adams arrived in free agency, which should reduce defensive bracket coverage on Nacua. Cooper Kupp signed a one-year deal to stay. The Rams open at +950 to win Super Bowl LXI, tied for shortest odds in the league. Nacua's contract runs through 2026 on a rookie deal; the extension conversation is the biggest financial decision the Rams face this offseason.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Puka Nacua
- Yahoo Sports: Nacua OPOY finalist
- Sports Illustrated: Nacua 2025 season
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Receiving
16 games played▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | rams | 1 | 5 | 74 | 14.8 | 0 | 41 |
| 2025 | rams | 16 | 129 | 1,715 | 13.3 | 10 | 58 |
| 2024 | rams | 11 | 79 | 990 | 12.5 | 3 | 51 |
| 2023 | rams | 17 | 105 | 1,486 | 14.2 | 6 | 80 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | rams | 16 | 10 | 105 | 10.5 | 1 | 45 |
| 2024 | rams | 11 | 11 | 46 | 4.2 | 1 | 9 |
| 2023 | rams | 17 | 12 | 89 | 7.4 | 0 | 31 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- BYU
- Hometown
- Provo, UT, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
Latest news about Puka Nacua
All news →Rams Won't 'Play the Victim Card' After Late Pass Interference Call in Denver
Josh Wallace's interception was wiped out by a flag on third down with under a minute left, and Denver scored the winning touchdown. Los Angeles had five penalties in the final two minutes and lost three more players to injury.
AI Predicts Every Week 3 Game of the 2026 NFL Season
After a 10-of-16 Week 2 in which two of five high-confidence picks missed, the model picks all 16 Week 3 games, from Michael Penix Jr.'s debut at Lambeau on Thursday to Eagles-Bears on Monday night with Caleb Williams likely out.
Aaron Donald Returns After 981 Days as Rams Rout Giants
Update: McVay says Puka Nacua's groin soreness is not a long-term threat and there is no hernia, but the Rams are being cautious, and his status for Sunday night at Denver is undetermined.
49ers Rout Rams 27-7 in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers 27, Los Angeles Rams 7 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Brock Purdy went 25 of 34 for 205 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.
AI Predicts Every Week 1 Game of the 2026 NFL Season
Touchdown Week's model went 26 of 49 on preseason winners. Now the picks that count: a projected score, win probability and confidence rating for all 16 Week 1 games, from the Super Bowl rematch in Seattle to Mahomes' return on Monday night.
Puka Nacua Faces Possible NFL Discipline Tied to Personal Conduct Policy Review
The Rams receiver was sued in March over an alleged assault, and the league is reviewing the incident under its personal conduct policy, with a possible suspension for Los Angeles's season opener.
