July 12, 2026, 11:00 a.m. PT

Puka Nacua’s resume already includes some of the most productive receiving seasons in Los Angeles Rams history, and new Pro Football data shows just how complete his game has become across the field.

Since 2021, Nacua ranks second among all receivers with a 91.4 PFF receiving grade on short passes (1-to-9 yards), trailing only Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown. Nacua has been especially dangerous after the catch in that range, averaging at least 4.3 yards after the catch per reception — one of just two players in the league to clear that mark, along with Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown.

Nacua’s game doesn’t stop at the line of scrimmage, either. He also places among the NFL’s elite on deep passes (20-plus yards), ranking fourth in PFF receiving grade (98.0) over the same five-year window, tied with Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb. His work downfield is defined by his ability to win contested situations — Nacua’s 57.1% contested catch rate on passes traveling at least 20 yards ranks fourth in the league, and his 130.6 passer rating when targeted on deep balls leads all qualified receivers.

What’s even funnier about these numbers is that Nacua has only been playing since 2023, the other top receivers on this list have been around for the entire sample size.

And that combination — elite in the short game and elite deep — puts Nacua in rare company. Most top wideouts carve out dominance in one area of the field; Nacua has done it in two of the three PFF-measured areas (short, intermediate, deep), a testament to his all-around skill set since entering the league as a 2023 fifth-round pick out of BYU.

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The numbers back up what Rams fans have watched unfold over the past three seasons: a receiver equally comfortable turning a quick screen into a chunk gain as he is climbing the ladder for a contested 50-50 ball down the field. As the Rams look to build around Matthew Stafford and a retooled receiver room in 2026, Nacua’s versatility across every level of the field remains one of the offense’s biggest advantages.