Expect a Shiftier Puka Nacua as He Takes on Larger Role for Rams in Year 3
Updated Jul. 23, 2025, 2:33 p.m. ET
Eric Williams, NFL Reporter
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is already regarded as one of the league’s top players when it comes to making jaw-dropping contested catches on a weekly basis. Now, he’s set to elevate his game even further in Year 3.
“I would say definitely movement off the line of scrimmage,” Nacua shared when I asked him about his offseason focus. “Working with Davante Adams has been huge because if you can get off the line cleanly, it significantly improves the play. I think Coach [Sean] McVay will appreciate how I’ve been moving at the line.”
“But I’m also working to make things clearer for Matthew Stafford. His capacity to throw the ball anywhere gives me confidence to take risks with my routes, knowing I’ll be in the right spot. Improving my lateral quickness and my ability to shake off defenders—either at the line or at the route’s apex—has been a key area of focus for me.”
Nacua, who engaged with me through Gatorade while welcoming the Gatorade National Players of the Year at an event in Los Angeles last week, has already shown that when he targets improvement, he achieves it. The former BYU standout finished his historic rookie season in 2023 with 13 drops, setting an NFL rookie record at the time with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. After that impressive year, Nacua honed his skills and dropped to only one drop in the 2024 season.
While Nacua made strides in that area, he faced injuries during the 2024 season. He encountered a knee issue during training camp that sidelined him for five games but still managed to finish the season with 79 catches for 990 yards and three touchdowns. Looking to enhance his elusiveness in 2025, Nacua has been learning from his new teammate and one of the league’s elite route runners, Davante Adams.
“His ability to take care of himself and prepare is incredible to witness,” Nacua remarked about Adams. “It gives me a model to follow for the rest of my career. We’ve seen Cooper Kupp and now Davante Adams excel like this, and it’s inspiring. Adams’ change of pace on the field is something you don’t see from many receivers, making it incredibly exciting to watch game tape afterward—you see bodies falling everywhere, and it’s often because of No. 17.”
Even though he’s no longer teammates with Kupp, who was released by the Rams and signed with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, Nacua and Kupp still trained together in Los Angeles during the offseason. Nacua expressed gratitude for maintaining their close relationship and credits Kupp for a productive start to his NFL journey.
“I know he might have been a bit upset when I said we ran routes and he didn’t show up at the facility,” Nacua joked about Kupp. “So, we’re still getting accustomed to the change, but I’m grateful that we’ve built our relationship off the field www me777 xyz. bk8 official site”
“It’s great to see his kids join our workouts and spend time together. I love being able to talk football again and check in on him. He has been instrumental in my career, helping me from day one when I entered the NFL, so I really enjoy reaching out to him.”
Despite having produced at an elite level, Nacua still sees himself as the same player who was drafted by the Rams with the 177th pick in 2023. And even with Kupp’s departure, Nacua plans to lean on veteran teammates like Rob Havenstein, Tyler Higbee, Stafford, and Adams to guide the offense asia cockfighting app download.
“I definitely want to be the best and seize every opportunity out there,” Nacua asserted. “As a receiver, I want every ball thrown my way. But I also know I’ll do whatever the coach asks because that’s my commitment.”
The Rams utilized Puka Nacua in running plays several times in 2024, and he anticipates receiving even more carries in 2025. Nacua is optimistic about L.A.’s offense improving physically. Coach McVay noted that he wants his offense to be more flexible and dynamic in the upcoming season, which includes a focus on running the ball more consistently.
Last season, the Rams averaged 104 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th in the NFL. Even more concerning, they averaged just 3.92 rushing yards per play, placing 31st in the league royal888casino net register.
“What I love about football is its physicality,” Nacua said jili slots legit 777 casino. “I’ve mentioned Nick Bosa a couple of times because I face him twice a year. When you get a chance to block someone like him or run a route against Jalen Ramsey or Darius Slay, it makes Sundays enjoyable.”
“I appreciate Coach McVay’s knack for positioning players effectively on the field to ensure our success. It makes playing football a blast. Matthew Stafford doesn’t waste any chances to air it out. We’ll be all over the field, in constant motion, creating a well-orchestrated show when the Rams are on offense.”
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for over a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN, and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on X at @eric_d_williams.
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