There are few things BYU fans enjoy more than watching Puka Nacua eviscerate opposing NFL defenses. The Los Angeles Rams opponents know Matthew Stafford is going to repeatedly target the former BYU star and they still can’t stop him. It doesn’t matter if the defenses Puka faces are man, zone, press, or cover 2, he just gets open time and again.
In 2024, Puka Nacua was the NFL’s best wide receiver according to Pro Football Focus, which is the default rating criteria used today:
2024 Statistical Summary
11 games, 11 starts
79 receptions (7.2 RPG), 990 yards (90 YPG), 3 TDs
11 rushes, 46 yards, 1 TD
Puka Nacua’s Season Overview
After a record-setting 2023 rookie season with 105 receptions and 1,486 yards, expectations were sky high for Puka’s sophomore campaign. But those expectations had to be put on hold for a while after he injured his knee in Week 1. He ended up missing the next six games, returning in Week 8 to the tune of seven receptions for 106 yards in a huge win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The former BYU star went on to have five games with over 100 receiving yards, including an absolutely dominant performance in a massive win over the Buffalo Bills with 12 receptions (on just 14 targets) for 162 yards and a touchdown. He also had five carries for 16 yards and another score in that game. His touchdown with less than two minutes remaining sealed the win.
Missing six games prevented Puka from what could have been an absolutely dominant season. With averages of 7.2 receptions and 90 yards per game he would have put up 122 receptions for 1,530 yards this past season had he played in all 17 games. These totals would have placed him No. 2 in the league in receptions (five behind Ja’Marr Chase) and No. 3 in the NFL in receiving yards behind Chase and Justin Jefferson.
Missing six games resulted in Puka Nacua being perhaps the biggest Pro Bowl snub from the 2024 season.
In the playoffs Puka helped power the Rams to a wildcard victory over the Minnesota Vikings before falling in the divisional round to the Philadelphia Eagles. In two playoff games he had 11 receptions for 141 yards.
Throw in Puka’s excellent blocking and ability to run jet sweeps in addition to his absolutely dominating receiving stats, and Puka Nacua is the NFL’s best wide receiver.
Puka Nacua’s Next Steps
If the former Orem High star can stay healthy in 2025 there’s no reason Puka can’t be a First Team All-Pro next year, and for every season to follow in coming years. The situation he’s in with an innovative coach in Sean McVay and a veteran quarterback with Matthew Stafford is ideal for Puka to remain among the NFL’s top receivers.
BYU fans can only speculate about Nacua’s future. With two seasons in the books, he’s already on a Hall of Fame trajectory. BYU has never produced a wide receiver like Puka. He’s already has the most receiving yards by a wide receiver among former Cougars, per Football Reference, and is only about 3,400 yards behind tight end Todd Christensen for the most receiving yards ever by a former BYU player.
Puka Nacua is the NFL’s best wide receiver.
And BYU fans can’t wait to see what’s next.