Even among the titans of industry that populate the NFL's wide receiving corps, rookie Puka Nacua sticks out.
The Rams wideout has enjoyed a sparkling debut year in Hollywood, establishing himself as perhaps Los Angeles' most important offensive player despite coming into the season with lesser expectations than most.
A fifth-round pick in last April's draft, Nacua is the Rams' leader in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns (along with Cooper Kupp). He's done it all at the tender age of 22, making Nacua one of the most accomplished WRs to ever take the field at his age.
With the season dwindling to its conclusion and the Rams slated to participate in the postseason, there isn't a whole lot to play for in Los Angeles' final regular-season game vs. the Niners. There was for Nacua, though, who made NFL history on Sunday.
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Here's what you need to know about Nacua breaking the rookie record for receptions and receiving yards in a single season.
Puka Nacua stats
Nacua has been nothing short of glittering in his maiden year in the NFL. He ranks in the top 10 in receptions (101), yards (1,445), targets (154), 20+ yard receptions (25), yards after catch (623), and receiving first downs (66).
Here's a look at how his numbers compare to the league's top receiving talents.
Most NFL receptions 2023
| Player | Receptions | Team |
| CeeDee Lamb | 122 | Cowboys |
| Tyreek Hill | 112 | Dolphins |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 112 | Lions |
| Keenan Allen | 108 | Chargers |
| A.J. Brown | 105 | Eagles |
| Evan Engram | 104 | Jaguars |
| Michael Pittman | 104 | Colts |
| Puka Nacua | 101 | Rams |
| Adam Thielen | 101 | Panthers |
| Stefon Diggs | 100 | Bills |
Most NFL receiving yards 2023
| Player | Receiving yards | Team |
| Tyreek Hill | 1,717 | Dolphins |
| CeeDee Lamb | 1,651 | Cowboys |
| A.J. Brown | 1,447 | Eagles |
| Puka Nacua | 1,445 | Rams |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 1,371 | Lions |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 1,317 | 49ers |
| D.J. Moore | 1,300 | Bears |
| Amari Cooper | 1,250 | Browns |
| Keenan Allen | 1,243 | Chargers |
| Mike Evans | 1,233 | Buccaneers |
Most NFL receiving yards by a rookie
Nacua entered Week 18 just 28 yards from Bill Gorman's 64-year-old record for most receiving yards in a season by a rookie. He passed that in the regular season finale, getting the necessary yards to take over first place on the list during the second half of the game against San Francisco.
THERE IT IS! THE RECEIVING YARDS ROOKIE RECORD!
— x - Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 7, 2024
📺 @NFLonFOX | @ASAPpuka pic.twitter.com/uYmZRNvuUO
Puka with his mom after breaking both records. 😭
— x - Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 7, 2024
📺 @NFLonFOX | @ASAPpuka pic.twitter.com/Z31j8FSTxd
It's worth noting that Gorman racked up his total in 14 games, three fewer than Nacua will play this year.
| Player | Receiving yards | Team | Year |
| Puka Nacua | 1,481 | Rams | 2023 |
| Bill Gorman | 1,473 | Oilers | 1960 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 1,455 | Bengals | 2021 |
| Justin Jefferson | 1,400 | Vikings | 2020 |
| Anquan Boldin | 1,377 | Cardinals | 2003 |
| Randy Moss | 1,313 | Vikings | 1998 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 1,305 | Giants | 2014 |
| Billy Howton | 1,231 | Packers | 1952 |
| Michael Clayton | 1,193 | Buccaneers | 2004 |
| Michael Thomas | 1,137 | Saints | 2015 |
Most NFL receptions by a rookie
Nacua seemed like a lock to catch at least four passes on Sunday if the Rams truly want him to break the rookie receptions record — and he did just that, bringing in catch No. 105 in the third quarter of the contest against the 49ers.
AND THE ROOKIE RECEPTIONS RECORD!
— x - Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 7, 2024
📺 @NFLonFOX | @ASAPpuka pic.twitter.com/Gw9g7a96UK
It breaks the mark set by Jaylen Waddle just two years ago, where he hauled in 104 catches in 16 games.
| Player | Receptions | Team | Year |
| Puka Nacua | 105 | Rams | 2023 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 104 | Dolphins | 2021 |
| Anquan Boldin | 101 | Cardinals | 2003 |
| Michael Thomas | 92 | Saints | 2016 |
| Saquon Barkley | 91 | Giants | 2018 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 91 | Giants | 2014 |
| Eddie Royal | 91 | Broncos | 2008 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 90 | Lions | 2021 |
| Terry Glenn | 90 | Patriots | 1996 |
| Justin Jefferson | 88 | Vikings | 2020 |
| Reggie Bush | 88 | Saints | 2006 |
Puka Nacua draft
Nacua wasn't always tipped for greatness. Rather, he was something of a wanderer, slipping into the mire as a fifth-round pick nine months ago. The BYU alum was viewed as a raw but intriguing prospect with decent-to-good athleticism, footwork, and speed. He was docked for a seemingly limited college route tree that accentuated his strengths as a vertical threat but didn't allow him to flourish on more intermediate throws.
