Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua made a huge jump from last year to this year on the annual NFL Top 100 Players list, as he heads into what could be another big season. On Thursday, the NFL revealed the 25-year-old wide receiver landed at No. 7 overall this year, a significant move from last year's No. 41 spot. However, based on last season's resume, Nacua certainly deserves a 34-spot leap up the list.
Last season, he led the league in receptions with 129, tied for second in receiving yards with 1,715, and tied for sixth with 10 touchdowns. All of those stats were career-bests for Nacua, who is just entering his fourth season. His Rams teammate, safety Quentin Lake, compared Nacua's "very strong hands" to "baseball mitts" allowing him to make impressive catches.
Like he is a dude that is selfless, and he brings the energy all the time," Lake also said. More news: Lamar Jackson Sends Clear Message on His Role Ahead of Ravens Season His teammate, Kyren Williams, said Nacua made "probably the greatest catch in NFL history" in his comments in the NFL's video clip. Williams was referring to Nacua's incredible catch against the Carolina Panthers, in which he leapt in front of a defender and snatched the ball out of the air with one hand.
Nacua then secured the football before hitting the ground as the commentator marveled over the reception. Other praiseworthy remarks about Nacua included how much he doesn't mind contact when it comes to defenders going at him, and how he wants "run right through" them due to his aggressive, physical nature on the field. Another aspect to consider is that Nacua continues to show his skills as a running back.
He had 10 carries last season for 105 yards, averaging 10.5 per carry, which are also career bests. And he added his second career rushing touchdown. "He's just a super, super well-rounded wide receiver," tight end George Kittle said, mentioning his catches and ability to score a 45-yard breakaway rushing TD, which he did against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 last season.
While Nacua's spot on the list could also be highly connected to the greatness of the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, Matthew Stafford, it's hard to ignore how skilled and impressive he's been in just a few short years. More news: Packers React to Micah Parsons’ NFL Top 100 Spot For more about the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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