Start or Sit? Rams New Week 2 Game Plan Pits Davante Adams Against Puka Nacua for Fantasy Football Value

Nacua picked up right where he left off in Week 1, even after spending time in the medical tent with a cut above his eye that required stitches. He still commanded double-digit targets and finished with 130 yards against the Texans. It’s become clear that he’s not just a flash in the pan—his usage rate is among the highest in the NFL.

As one analyst put it, “Nacua plays with one of the greatest WR elevators of this generation, and he will be carried out on his shield before letting your team down. Draft Nacua. Play Nacua. Easy game.”

His floor is stabilized by consistent volume, and Sean McVay’s willingness to get creative—sprinkling in the occasional carry—only boosts his value. In season-long leagues, there’s little debate: Nacua is a must-start.

Adams: A Touchdown Artist in Waiting

Adams’ Rams debut was quieter. He caught just four passes for 51 yards, converting half of his targets while the rest of the Rams’ receiving corps posted an 85% catch rate. That might tempt skeptics to whisper about age or regression. But context matters: Houston’s defense forced Stafford into tough reads, and Adams still showed flashes of the red-zone savant he’s been throughout his career.

“If you’re telling me he gets eight Stafford targets, I’m telling you he’s a top-25 WR,” one fantasy analyst argued. That’s exactly the range Adams currently sits in—ranked alongside names like Tetairoa McMillan and Jakobi Meyers.

Adams himself brushed off concerns about production, laughing when asked about fantasy implications:

“That’s not in the forefront of my mind. I know they think it is. I’m just out here trying to win games and contribute and make plays when I can.”

Still, given his career track record, it’s hard to bet against him seeing more opportunities as defenses shift attention toward Nacua.

Can Two Stars Shine Together?

This is the central dilemma. FantasyPros’ Pat Fitzmaurice admitted he’s been torn:

“I’ve oscillated all offseason between ‘Hmm, won’t they cannibalize each other?’ and ‘Nah, they’ll be fine.’”

Statistical projections show there’s enough room for both to thrive—if Stafford stays healthy. The Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins posted a combined 62.4% target share last year, and if Nacua and Adams hit similar marks, both could realistically top 1,000 yards. Still, Fitzmaurice cautioned that it’s unlikely both will exceed expectations given Stafford’s age, Adams’ mileage, and Nacua’s limited touchdown history.

McVay’s Balancing Act

Sean McVay knows the key to unlocking his offense is blending these two weapons. “I’m excited about being able to figure out how to get those guys involved,” he said. Week 2 against the Titans will be a chance to show that Adams can be more than a supporting piece.

Former NFL linebacker Manti Te’o went even further, calling the Adams acquisition “the most dangerous signing for a defender” because of how it reshapes the Rams’ passing attack. He likened the duo to the Bengals’ Chase-Higgins tandem, with Nacua in the Chase-like role as a versatile mover and Adams the boundary alpha.

The Fantasy Verdict

For now, fantasy managers shouldn’t overreact. Nacua remains a locked-in WR1 thanks to target share and toughness that borders on reckless, while Adams is best viewed as a high-upside WR2 whose value is tied to Stafford’s health and red-zone usage.

There will be weeks where one overshadows the other—that’s the reality of rostering stars in the same offense. But if Stafford can avoid the injury bug, there’s a real chance both Nacua and Adams finish as top-20 fantasy wideouts in 2025.

It may test the nerves of fantasy managers along the way, but in this case, the juice is worth the squeeze.