Puka Nacua Thrives Amid New Talents in Rams’ Receiver Room
Los Angeles — Puka Nacua, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, received an unexpected call while celebrating at a teammate’s wedding. He was having a fun time on the dance floor during defensive end Kobie Turner’s reception when his phone rang. Seeing that it was Head Coach Sean McVay, Nacua couldn’t ignore it.
“Most calls get declined at that moment,” Nacua said, “but when I saw it was Coach McVay, I answered.”
The conversation turned exciting quickly when McVay asked him about the team’s recent signing of three-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. For Nacua, celebrating this news was easy — he was surrounded by elite players like Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford, and now Adams.
“It feels like I’m in a candy store,” Nacua remarked, expressing his enthusiasm about joining a roster filled with such high-caliber talent.
Adams offers a unique perspective for the Rams, one that Kupp, who spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the team, could not provide. Adams brings a wealth of experience from his time with the Green Bay Packers, the Las Vegas Raiders, and, most recently, the New York Jets. This blend of experiences is viewed as an asset by Rams leadership.
General Manager Les Snead shared his thoughts on adding Adams to the roster. “Bringing in someone who has been in different systems can bring fresh insights,” Snead explained. Acknowledging his role as a “creative mind,” he believes that diverse experiences enhance the receiver group’s effectiveness.
Adams’ talent speaks for itself. In his career, he has amassed 957 receptions for over 11,800 yards and 103 touchdowns. Even during a season filled with challenges, such as an in-season trade, Adams managed to continue his streak of surpassing 1,000 receiving yards.
Nacua, eager to learn, is taking advantage of the new skills and techniques Adams brings to the table. He finds himself observing Adams closely, focusing on subtle nuances in route running that elevate performance. Both players are known for their fearless approach in taking contact across the field, but Adams also imparts the wisdom that not every hit needs to be taken.
“I used to think I had to take every contact because I’m bigger than the defenders,” Nacua admitted. “But Adams has shown me that sometimes it’s better to avoid unnecessary hits.”
Focusing on how defenders play can lead to smarter strategies. Nacua learns to gauge whether a defender is leaning high or low, which helps him decide his best angle. He has been particularly impressed with Adams’ technique in the red zone, recognizing it as a perfect example of effective play.
Nacua recalled a specific moment: “Adams’s ability to combine a slant route with a fade has left me in awe. I’m trying to understand how to marry those techniques in our plays,” he elaborated.
In recent practices, Nacua has been working alongside quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo while Matthew Stafford recovers from a back injury. Coach McVay recently indicated that Stafford would be back soon, reassuring fans that his absence during training camp is not a long-term issue.
Even while sidelined, Stafford has remained engaged, discussing offensive tweaks and providing guidance to his receivers. Nacua is confident in Stafford’s ability to reintegrate into the lineup smoothly. He appreciates how Stafford’s mastery of the game helps the whole receiving group improve their skills.
“Stafford has a deep understanding of football and our offense,” Nacua commented. “His attention to detail makes our jobs easier. He knows exactly where to place the ball for each route.”
Despite a challenging last season where Nacua still managed to rack up impressive stats with 2,476 yards and nine touchdowns, he feels that adding Adams and other talents can unlock even more potential for both him and the team.
“I’ve learned so much faster because of the players around me,” Nacua remarked. “It’s honestly a dream come true to work with such talent and experience.”
As the Rams gear up for the upcoming season, Nacua remains optimistic and excited about the future, eager to contribute to the team and learn from his seasoned teammates.
