Puka Nacua was not a widely known prospect in the 2023 NFL draft. A big wideout from BYU, Nacua didn’t have a lot of buzz outside of a strong showing during Senior Bowl week.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Nacua with the last pick (No. 177 overall) in the fifth round of the draft. He didn’t light up the preseason, catching three passes for 32 yards and a touchdown, so expectations entering Week 1 were pretty modest.
Thrust into a prominent role with Pro Bowler Cooper Kupp sidelined, Nacua went out and had one of the best debuts of any NFL wide receiver in a very long time. Nacua caught 10 passes for 119 yards in the Rams’ 30-13 romp over the division rival Seattle Seahawks.
The 10 receptions and 15 targets both set Rams records for a rookie debut game.
Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 119 receiving yards tonight.
He becomes the 4th player in NFL history to have 10 receptions and over 100 receiving yards in his 1st career game.
2023 Puka Nacua
2018 Keke Coutee
2003 Anquan Boldin
1964 Sid Blanks pic.twitter.com/tQWPtwUg0T— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 10, 2023
It also set the NFL record for the most passing targets in a debut game, breaking the record held by Anquan Boldin and Antonio Bryant, among others.
Only three other wideouts across the NFL topped Nacua’s receiving yardage in Week 1. One of those, Miami’s Tyreek Hill, was the only player with more receptions (11).
That’s quite an impressive debut for a player who was a relatively anonymous Day 3 pick.