(Photo: CNN)
5. Puka Nacua: Welcome back, and I want to thank you once again for following along with us up to this point! The first half of the list is officially in the books, and as I mentioned, offense has once again dominated “Best In The Business.”So far, three Running Backs, one Wide Receiver, and one Quarterback have all been revealed. Now, we’re back for the second half of the list, and there’s nothing like a top-five conversation, right? I knew immediately after the season he had last year—and honestly, with the way he’s produced since entering the league—that he would end up on this list, or any top players list, sooner rather than later. The crazy thing is, he’s still so young and has so much more to accomplish in this league. Puka Nacua makes his debut and kicks off part two! He checks in as my fifth-best player and my second-ranked Wide Receiver entering the year.
What have I always said about entering the league? It doesn’t matter what round you get drafted in. Just get your foot in the door, work hard, make a name for yourself, and everything else will follow. Puka started his college football career at Washington before transferring to BYU. In 2023, the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft with the 177th overall pick, and right out of the gate, he made an immediate impact. Believe it or not, Puka is listed at 6’2″, but you wouldn’t think that considering the way he plays because he moves like a slot receiver, especially in space. I feel he’s become one of the most complete Wide Receivers in the league today because he’s able to do more than one thing consistently well. He’s not just a speed threat or a jump-ball specialist. Puka combines route running, instincts, physicality, and yards after the catch, and all of those traits stress defenses at every level. You don’t see many receivers embrace physical contact the way Puka does. Whether he’s fighting through press coverage, blocking in the run game, or lowering his shoulder after making a catch, he never shies away from contact. In fact, I’d say Puka plays with an edge that energizes the entire Rams offense. I also respect the versatility he displays as a route runner. He’s able to line up almost anywhere—outside, in the slot—and he’s motioned around the formation quite a bit, which is just another way of jump-starting his route. His understanding of leverage and timing allows him to create separation without relying on elite speed. He has some of the most reliable hands in the game today and consistently wins in traffic while showing outstanding concentration on contested catches. What I appreciate most, though, is that he attacks the football. He goes and gets it instead of sitting back and waiting for it to arrive. For someone as young as he is, his football IQ is top-notch. Puka has an advanced feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage, and he adjusts his routes based on what the defense is showing him. I also think the most underrated part of his game is his willingness to block. He commits to blocking with the same intensity that he brings to catching passes.
You have to earn your quarterback’s trust if you want the football, and Puka has absolutely done that with Matthew Stafford. He’s emerged as the Rams’ number-one Wide Receiver, and he honestly makes their offense go. He had the best game of his career in an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks last December, catching 12 passes for a career-high 225 receiving yards. He’s only going to continue climbing the ladder because he hasn’t even reached the prime of his career yet. I’ve always found myself comparing Puka to Wes Welker, only as a bigger version of Wes. I also see some Anquan Boldin in his game with how physical he is after the catch and the way he wins through toughness rather than blazing speed. His future is incredibly bright.
