C.J. Stroud chases rookie record but don't sleep on Puka Nacua

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, left, and Rams receiver Puka Nacua are both smiling.

By Steve HensonStaff Writer

Published Nov. 17, 2023 Updated Nov. 19, 2023 5:21 PM PT

Might as well engrave the nameplate on the NFL offensive rookie of the year award now. After passing for 1,162 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three games, all wins, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is lapping the field.

Stroud, the second overall pick in this year’s draft out of Ohio State, is on pace to pass for nearly 5,000 yards, which would smash the rookie record of 4,374 yards set by the Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck in 2012.

Another rookie is also on pace to shatter an NFL record, yet he was the 177th pick in the draft.

Puka Nacua, the Rams receiver with the catchy name and irrepressible personality, has 69 catches through 10 games, putting him on pace for 118 over 17 games.

The current record of 104 was set by the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle in 2021. The only other rookie to reach triple digits in receptions is the Arizona Cardinals’ Anquan Boldin, who had 101 in 2003.

It probably won’t be enough to eclipse Stroud for rookie of the year honors, but Nacua has exceeded expectations even though coach Sean McVay already felt he snagged the best player in the fifth round, a well-rounded receiver who could immediately become a legitimate second option to Cooper Kupp.

Nacua has been targeted by Rams quarterbacks 103 times but he was first targeted by McVay. Although Nacua played only 32 college games at Washington and Brigham Young because of injuries, McVay saw enough film of his precision route-running, sticky hands and willingness to block to prioritize drafting him.

The Rams gambled that Nacua would remain on the board through four-plus rounds, primarily because 33 other rookie receivers ran faster 40 times than the 4.57 seconds he clocked. His pedestrian speed hasn’t kept him from making big plays, however: Nacua’s 16 receptions of at least 20 yards ties the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill for the NFL lead.

“With some evaluations, you’re like, ‘OK, we think this kid does this good, does this not so good, let’s take a chance on him,’” Rams general manager Les Snead told The Times. “But then there are those players where [McVay] is already game planning with him while he’s watching him at BYU. That’s Puka. They don’t come around often.”

After putting the league on notice with 25 receptions in his first two games, Nacua’s pace slowed because of injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford and the return of Kupp from an injury six games ago. Nacua made only three catches in each of the two games before making five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ 17-16 comeback win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

He needs to average five catches per game to eclipse Waddle’s record. The Rams aren’t concerned with numbers. Nacua just needs to be Nacua.

“Just keep coming out with that same energy, that same style of play that he plays with,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said earlier this season. “It’s awesome for our squad to have a guy like that.”

Another excellent rookie receiver has been the Vikings’ Jordan Addison, who transferred to USC from Pittsburgh before the 2022 season and was a primary target of Caleb Williams. Addison has 45 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns with Minnesota and hasn’t dropped a pass.

For his part, Stroud — who has passed for 2,962 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions in 10 games — distributes the ball to a variety of receivers, including former Rams and USC standout Robert Woods. The former Rancho Cucamonga High standout does have a quality rookie to target — Tank Dell, a third-round pick who has 43 receptions for 659 yards and six touchdowns.