Pro Football Focus ranks Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua in top 5 of two different major categories

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has started his career off with a bang, and isn't even in his prime yet.

The 2023 fifth-round draft pick has already amassed 184 receptions for 2,476 yards and nine receiving touchdowns, also tacking on 135 rushing yards and one rushing TD.

Nacua is already considered one of the best route runners in the NFL. A new rankings list from the folks at Pro Football Focus solidify that sentiment, as they identified the top WRs against both man and zone coverage from the 2024 season. Nacua earned a top 5 grade in each category.

Naua's man coverage grade: 90.9 (No. 4 overall)

From PFF: "Nacua missed five games in 2024 but still led the league in target rate against man coverage (40%) and yards after the catch (211). He caught 29 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns against such coverages, in addition to moving the chains 18 times. Nacua was the only receiver outside of A.J. Brown to force double-digit missed tackles (10) on man-coverage targets."

Nacua's zone coverage grade: 92.3 (No. 1 overall)

From PFF: "Nacua earned a 90.4 zone PFF receiving grade in his rookie 2023 season and followed that up with a 92.3 mark in 2024. He saw 71 zone targets at a rate of 36%, the highest in the league, and caught 55 passes for 706 yards and a touchdown. Nacua averaged 5.8 yards after the catch and finished in the top 10 in missed tackles forced (10) and first downs (32) on zone targets."

Nacua being ranked so high in both categories is even more impressive considering he missed five games with a PCL strain in 2024. It also proves that he is one of the most complete WRs in the league and is virtually impossible to defend. Now paired with former All-Pro WR Davante Adams, Nacua could get open against defenders even more.