Rams rookie WR Puka Nacua on record-breaking pace

Through four games, the fifth-round pick out of BYU registered 501 receiving yards, more than former Lions WR Calvin Johnson had when he set the NFL record (1,964 in 16 games) in 2012. He will surpass the mark with 2,000 yards if he stays on this trajectory.

Even though Nacua might see a slight dip in targets when star wideout Cooper Kupp returns from his hamstring injury, the 22-year-old believes he can maintain his outstanding production.

"Shoot, if they keep asking me to do it," Nacua said Monday, per Sarah Bishop of ESPN. "I'm just trying to do my job. So whenever [Matthew Stafford] throws the ball my way, I'm super happy because he's making my job as easy it could be."

Coincidentally, Stafford was the QB during two of the greatest receiving seasons in NFL history. Along with Johnson, he helped Kupp register the second-most yards (1,947 in 17 games) in 2021. So Nacua has the right man for the job, especially after earning his trust. 

"He does a great job after the catch, similar to what Cooper does," Stafford recently told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "It's a total-package player, and it's fun to be working with him."

Don't be surprised if Nacua's historic season continues, and expect his Offensive Rookie of the Year odds to skyrocket. Per FanDuel, he holds the third-best odds (+450) of winning the award behind Atlanta's Bijan Robinson and Houston's C.J. Stroud.