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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 →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.
Rams Continue Managing Myles Garrett's Knee, Now Missing at Least a Fourth Practice
Sean McVay says there's 'no reason for concern' and is taking a 'return to performance, not just return to play' approach with both Garrett's knee and Puka Nacua's back, with each targeted to return to practice next week.
Rams Eye Extensions for Nacua, Turner, Young and Avila as Rookie Deals Wind Down
McVay confirms 'internal dialogue' about locking up the team's 2023 draft class before the four head into the final year of their rookie contracts.
Matthew Stafford lands a one-year, $55 million extension months after his first MVP
The deal ties Stafford to Los Angeles through 2027 and puts him in the $50M-per-year club of NFL quarterbacks.
Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel and the 14 free agents still searching for a 2026 home
The post-draft free-agent board includes three former Pro Bowl receivers and at least four defenders who could change a playoff race.
