Puka Nacua has had the greatest four-game stretch of any rookie wide receiver in NFL history, but with the return of Cooper Kupp, most assume that his rest-of-season fantasy outlook will take a hit. Although Nacua’s current WR5 position will likely dip, he will continue to be a major fantasy asset for the remainder of the season — and beyond.
PUKA IN THE ROBERT WOODS ROLE
Many fantasy analysts have stated that Nacua was filling in the valuable Cooper Kupp role that produced WR1 numbers over the past two seasons. Although Nacua is putting up Kupp-like numbers, his route chart is reminiscent of a certain former Ram.
With Kupp out of the lineup, Nacua has lined up in the slot 30.7% of the time, compared to Kupps’ 65.5% in 2021. This season, Nacua has a higher average depth of target (aDOT), and a similar YAC per reception that Woods had in 2021. Yes, Nacua has been hyper-targeted like Kupp and utilized in motion similarly to him, but Nacua has been playing more of the Robert Woods role in the offense this season. The Rams offense lacked the proper player to fill this role last season before Kupp’s season was cut short.
Prior to tearing his ACL midway through the season in 2021, Woods was WR17 in PPG for qualified players. If Nacua can play a similar role, if not better, he will continue to be a major fantasy asset.
REST OF SEASON + DYNASTY OUTLOOK
The Puka Nacua situation gives me Amon-Ra St Brown vibes from the 2021 season. Although Nacua’s production has come early in the season, many believe that his role and production will regress with the return of Cooper Kupp, as people speculated ARSB’s would be following his insane end-of-season in 2021.
Nacua’s production will take a dip for the rest of the season, most likely being a mid-range WR2, according to The Wolf’s Rest of Season Rankings. Likely gone are the absurd 20-target days, but for a guy that you snagged off the waiver wire, he’s well-worth the rest-of-season hold for the remainder of the season.
In dynasty leagues, Nacua is a screaming buy in my eyes. Send out offers for Nacua in dynasty, no matter your situation. Dynasty is a tough game, but if there’s a chance to acquire a wide receiver who breaks any of Anquan Boldin’s rookie records, he’s worth a chance on your roster. Kupp, playing in his age 30 season, has racked up a torn ACL, a knee bruise, grade one and grade three ankle sprains, and a grade two hamstring injury since the 2018 season. Nacua will be the Rams’ long-term WR1.
