Rams WR Puka Nacua is on pace for historic season

The Los Angeles Rams have struggled to get stops defensively this season, but the offense been one of the most explosive in the NFL through five weeks.

As impressive as quarterback Matthew Stafford's play has been to this point with a league-high 1,503 passing yards, a lot of that centers around the historic pace wide receiver Puka Nacua is on.

Puka Nacua is on pace to break several records

In just five games, Nacua leads the league in receptions (52), targets (62) and receiving yards (588). He has had at least 10 receptions in all but one game and topped 100 yards three times, putting him on a historic pace assuming everything holds up. Nacua also became the fastest player to reach 50 receptions in a season in Week 5.

According to ESPN, Nacua is on pace for 177 receptions, 211 targets and 1,999 receiving yards, all of which would be records by season's end. The 177 receptions would surpass former New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas (149) from 2019, the 211 targets would eclipse former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. (205) from 2002 and the 1,999 receiving yards would top former Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson (1,964) from the 2012 season, per StatMuse.

Although Davante Adams has been solid with 22 catches for 357 yards and three TDs in his first season with the Rams (3-2), Nacua's efficiency has been nothing short of incredible. For comparison, Adams has only caught 22 of his 46 targets, while Nacua has come down with all but 10 of his targets, which speaks to the reliability he provides Stafford down the field.

Today's NFL schedule consists of 17 games compared to the 16 when those previous records were set, but the feat would still be incredible regardless. The historic pace should not come as a surprise, either, given how Nacua burst onto the scene in his 2023 rookie season when he had 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six TDs. 

Nacua's biggest challenge to maintain his current pace will be staying healthy for the 17-game grind. With a Week 6 meeting against a 1-4 Baltimore Ravens squad that ranks last in the league in points allowed (35.4) and 31st in passing yards allowed (262.6), there is a good chance Nacua puts together another strong performance as he continues his pursuit of multiple records.