The 2025-26 season kicks off on September 4th with an NFC East rivalry matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
With the season about to start, ESPN has released its rankings ahead of the season, along with some bold predictions from its NFL writers. Seth Walder predicts that the third-year wide receiver Puka Nacua will lead the league in receiving yards.
“Nacua will lead the NFL in receiving yards. It’s hard to stress just how efficient Nacua was last season: His 3.7 yards per route run last year are the second most by any receiver in the past decade (behind Tyreek Hill in 2023) — even ahead of Cooper Kupp’s monstrous 2021 season (3.2). The biggest question in this case might simply be whether [Matthew] Stafford can stay healthy long enough to get his receiver there,” Walder wrote.
Puka had 1,486 yards in his rookie season, the fourth-most in the league. The wide receiver experienced a slight regression due to an injury, playing in 11 games in his second season in the league and logging 990 yards.
Now, being the primary receiver in Los Angeles and having the most chemistry with Stafford, Puka is set up for a big third season.
Matthew Stafford Dealing With Injury
GettyLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford
Puka Nacua has shown that he can be among the best wide receivers in the league, but due to injury concerns around starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, his numbers may be hindered in the 2025-26 season.
Stafford was out part of the Rams training camp due to a back injury, with Rams head coach Sean McVay telling reporters that the team was taking caution with the quarterback; Stafford was able to return to practice and participate in full-padded practice.
If Stafford were to reinjure his back, Nacua would have Jimmy Garoppolo as his next quarterback.
McVay believes that Jimmy G is a starting-caliber quarterback in the league and that having Garoppolo is a blessing. Jimmy G is entering his second season as the Rams’ backup and has some knowledge of the scheme that could assist him if he needs to enter games in the 2025-26 season.
Puka Nacua Sharing Targets
GettyLos Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams
The Rams signed three-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams after releasing Kupp during free agency, bringing leadership and experience to the offense.
Adams has less familiarity with the Rams’ offensive scheme and no chemistry with Stafford compared to Puka.
Once getting in the swing of things, Adams could get some targets away from the 24-year-old receiver. The positive is that Nacua is learning new things from the experienced Adams.
“I’ve asked Davante to lead our position group, to lead our position group drills… So, I was like, ‘Hey, I think it’ll make my job a little bit easier if you just go first.’ Today I was right there in the back and I’m just standing like this because I’m going to watch the tape again, but I’m like, there’s nothing better than seeing him with my own two eyes,” Nacua said, via the Rams website.
Nacua was able to produce with Kupp next to him, so it is likely he will still produce with Adams on the offense.
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