Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua enters his third NFL season after two sensational years. He’s tallied 2,476 yards for nine touchdowns on 184 receptions in just 28 games and is already being named among the best receivers in the NFL at just 24 years old.
And before he starts his third NFL season, Underdog’s Hayden Winks offered a lofty comparison for the young Nacua: former Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
“Puka Nacua is Gen Z Larry Fitzgerald to me,” Winks said. “He’s averaging 98 yards per game in the games he’s playing 75% of the snaps. They use him everywhere. … He’s more than throwing his weight around in the run department. The total package.”
Fitzgerald and Nacua share a lot of similarities. Both are around the same size (between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3 and between 212-218 pounds) and are targeted a ton (151 per season for Fitzgerald and 162 for Nacua).
Nacua, like Fitzgerald, is a slot machine who thrives at turning receptions into first downs. Fitzgerald averaged 59 first-down conversions over his 17-year career. Nacua already averages 70 per season.
It will take a lot more than two consistent seasons for Nacua to ascend to Fitzgerald’s status, though. The legendary receiver finished his career with 1,432 receptions for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns. He also never missed more than four games in one season, and only missed more than one game in four of his 17 years.
But with Sean McVay as his head coach and Matthew Stafford as his quarterback, Nacua could stake another great season to his resume as he chases this lofty comparison.