Strong start for Nacua

Rams OC Mike LaFleur praised rookie WR Puka Nacua for his efforts at OTAs. “He’s a good-sized kid. He’s got a good frame to him. He catches the ball really effortlessly,” LaFleur said on Wednesday. “He can stay grounded through the catch and so he is doing a good job with it. And particularly moving him around quite a bit, not babying him at all with the motions and the alignments and stuff like that and so he’s doing a good job. You can tell, all you have to do is look at these – especially the young guys – just look at their eyes when they’re in the huddle and you can tell the guys that are swimming, the guys that aren’t and he definitely has a calm demeanor about himself and is fitting in nicely.” Nacua will compete for rotational snaps behind Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson. The 5th-round pick is much more intriguing in dynasty formats.

Rams HC Sean McVay announced Wednesday that certain starters won't play at all in the regular-season finale. He did not include WR Puka Nacua in that group. So what's the plan? Nacua sits 3 receptions and 28 yards shy of NFL rookie records in both categories. And it sounds like McVay wants to get him there. "I think you'd like to be able to see him get an opportunity to do something special and then be smart with him," the coach told reporters Wednesday. What's that mean? Expect Nacua to get early opportunities to reach those marks. And as soon as that happens, expect the team's leader in targets, catches, and receiving yards (by wide margins) to hit the bench. A 3-30 receiving line doesn't offer much fantasy help, so we'd lean away from playing Nacua in Week 18 lineups if you can help it. WRs Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell and TE Davis Allen look like the best receiving bets for the Rams this week -- though we're all basically guessing at exactly how the Carson Wentz-led offense will look.

Rams WR Puka Nacua secured 5 of 8 targets for a team-leading 118 receiving yards in Week 17 vs. the Giants. The rookie is beginning to close in on making his 2023 campaign historic in nature. Nacua is just 28 yards shy of breaking the rookie receiving yards record (1,473) set by Oilers WR Bill Groman in 1960 and only 3 catches away from Jaylen Waddle’s rookie receptions record (104) from 2021. He’s got a strong shot at hurdling these marks in Week 18 vs. the 49ers and is in a tremendous position moving forward. Despite the uncertain long-term future of QB Matthew Stafford (who will be 36 in 2024), Nacua established himself as a dominant force and currently ranks seventh among WRs with 17.8 PPR points per game. You’re walking into next season feeling pretty good about your dynasty team if you roster Nacua.

Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is active for today’s game vs. the Giants. He missed Friday's practice with what HC Sean McVay called hip tightness but never seemed to be in danger of missing this one. Nacua is safe to keep in Week 17 fantasy lineups.

Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is expected to play vs. the Giants today, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms. Nacua is listed as questionable after missing Friday's practice with what HC Sean McVay labeled hip "tightness." But McVay also said that he fully expected Nacua to play. We're not projecting the hip to be a factor today.

Rams WR Puka Nacua (hip) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Giants. He missed Friday's practice with what HC Sean McVay called hip tightness. McVay also said that Nacua should be fine for Sunday's game. He can stay penciled into Week 17 fantasy lineups for now. We'll get the Rams' inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.