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Nacua finished as the WR1 across formats last year and retains the QB, HC, and supporting cast to repeat. He’s our projected WR1 and a top-3 pick across nearly all formats.
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Nacua finished with career highs in catches (129), yards (1,715), and TDs (10) in 16 games last year.
He posted 10 top-6 PPR fantasy finishes, with only one game worse than WR22. That came with a reduced role in Week 6 due to an ankle injury.
Nacua finished with the fourth-highest target share among WRs (28.8%).
He continued to work short and intermediate areas, posting a 9.2-yard average depth of target while lining up in the slot on 33.7% of his routes and out wide on 62.7%.
Nacua remained a limited part of the red-zone offense. Only 15.5% of his targets came in the red zone and 17.5% arrived inside the 10-yard line, both well behind teammate Davante Adams (30.1% and 40.4%, respectively).
Nacua continued to post excellent efficiency numbers.
Among 43 WRs with 80+ targets, he ranked:
Nacua also led WRs in Pro Football Focus receiving grade (96.2) and ESPN’s receiver score, which tracks separation, catching, and yards after the catch.
This is about as good a setup as it gets.
The Rams ranked first in passing yards, third in pass rate over expected, and fifth in pass attempts last year. They also finished second in situation-neutral pace and eighth in total plays.
Matthew Stafford provided a summer scare after a back injury forced missed time in training camp. But he managed the injury well and produced one of the best statistical seasons of his career: 4,707 yards, 46 TDs, and only 8 INTs.
Nacua delivered for fantasy managers despite suffering several ailments.
He needed X-rays on his thumb after Week 4, sustained an ankle injury in Week 6, and left Week 9 with a rib injury. The ankle cost him his only missed game of 2025.
That came after Nacua missed five games in 2024 with a PCL sprain. He also played through rib and shoulder injuries during his breakout rookie season in 2023.
Nacua’s setup looks identical to 2025, with Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams returning.
Stafford returns after leading the league in passing yards and TDs, Adams remains a strong boundary complement, and the Rams’ lack of a clear No. 3 WR should help preserve another top-tier target count.
TE looks like a strength for this offense. The Rams sit at least four deep there with Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, and rookie Round 2 rookie Max Klare. But nobody in that group looks equipped to cut into Nacua's workload.
L.A. also brought back all five starters along the O-line, cementing Nacua’s strong situation. The unit ranked fifth in ESPN’s pass-block win rate last season.
There’s no mystery here.
Nacua has finished WR1 in PPR points per game in two of the past three seasons and still owns the kind of high-volume role that keeps another elite finish squarely in play.
Our projections have him at a 30.5% target share, which would have ranked second among WRs last season.
It starts with Stafford’s health. He played all 17 games last season, but his history includes multiple back injuries, including an aggravated disk from last July and a spinal cord injury that cost him seven games in 2022.
If Stafford misses time, the Rams would likely turn to Round 1 pick Ty Simpson, who’s still unpolished after starting only 15 college games. Stafford, though, has lost just one game to injury across the past three seasons.
Nacua’s own injury history matters, too. He missed six games over the past two seasons with a PCL sprain and an ankle sprain, and he missed eight more in college with hamstring, ankle, and foot injuries.
Barring any health issues late in training camp, however, we’d rather chase the upside than fret over Nacua’s durability.
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Puka Nacua Expected Back For Week 4
Puka Nacua Expected Back For Week 4
Rams HC Sean McVay told reporters Wednesday that he expects WR Puka Nacua to play vs. the Eagles this weekend. Nacua has been out since the opener with hip and/or groin trouble that has impacted his explosiveness. We'll track his practice participation throughout the week and look for reports on how close to 100% he'll be on Sunday. But an active Nacua would be nearly impossible to leave out of fantasy lineups.
Puka Nacua INACTIVE
Puka Nacua INACTIVE
Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is inactive for tonight's game against the Broncos. He reportedly has a chance to return for Week 4, although ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that surgery has not been ruled out if Nacua doesn’t improve. We’ll keep you posted on his progress. WR Davante Adams and TE Terrance Ferguson are the Rams’ best target bets tonight.
Puka Nacua Still Lacks Explosiveness, Surgery Remains Possible
Puka Nacua Still Lacks Explosiveness, Surgery Remains Possible
Rams WR Puka Nacua's groin injury is impacting his explosiveness, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Functionally, Nacua can play, but he has not felt like he can play with the same explosiveness he has had in the past," Schefter writes. Schefter also confirms that Nacua has a chance to return for Week 4 but adds that surgery is "not entirely off the table if Nacua doesn’t show signs of improvement." So we're somewhere between Nacua returning next week and needing surgery, which would presumably cost him multiple more games. Ok then. At this point, Nacua owners should probably hold rather than sell at a discount. But the uncertain timeline and possibility of surgery make him too risky to recommend as a trade target. We’ll keep you updated on his progress this coming week.
Puka Nacua Doubtful For Week 3, Back For Week 4?
Puka Nacua Doubtful For Week 3, Back For Week 4?
Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday night's game against the Broncos, HC Sean McVay said Friday. Nacua didn't practice all week and does not have a clear timetable for return. WR Davante Adams (32% target share) and TE Terrance Ferguson (29%) dominated passing-game work with Nucua out last week. We're expecting a similar attack in Denver.
Update: McVay said Nacua is expected back for Week 4, barring a setback between now and then, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.
Puka Nacua Trending Toward Another Missed Game
Puka Nacua Trending Toward Another Missed Game
Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report. HC Sean McVay said that the team isn't concerned that Nacua is dealing with a long-term injury but will continue to play it safe with its star wideout. "Usually time is the best thing that allows that thing to heal," McVay said. "And then once you get to a certain point, then I think you feel pretty good moving forward." It sure sounds like Nacua is more likely than not to miss Sunday night's game against the Broncos. We'll continue to track his status, but fantasy managers should not plan on having him in Week 3 lineups.
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