Is Puka Nacua A Good Fantasy Football Pickup For Week 2? Waiver Wire Outlook

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was the 177th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Nacua had a productive college career, totaling 91 receptions for 1,403 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in two years at BYU. He also had 39 rushing attempts for 357 yards and five touchdowns in college.

Despite a solid college career, the former BYU star was a late fifth-round draft pick because of injuries. Yet, the Rams were excited to land the talented wide receiver.

Nacua had an impressive training camp. Some, including myself, called him a sleeper candidate. The rookie took advantage of the opportunity when Cooper Kupp suffered a hamstring injury.

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What Did Puka Nacua Accomplish In Week 1?

The Rams will be without their superstar wide receiver for at least the first four games this season. Many predicted Van Jefferson and Tyler Higbee would be Matthew Stafford’s top targets in the Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

However, the rookie had other plans. Nacua had 10 receptions on 15 targets for 119 receiving yards in Week 1, leading Los Angeles in every category. He had nearly a 40% target share, the highest in the NFL this week. Furthermore, the former BYU star earned the highest PFF grade among rookie wide receivers in Week 1.

Nacua had a top-10 finish in his first career start, scoring 16.9 half-point PPR fantasy points against Seattle. He scored more fantasy points than Amon-Ra St. Brown (16.1), Chris Olave (15.2), DK Metcalf (12.2), A.J. Brown (11.4), Keenan Allen (11.2), and several other big-name wide receivers.

Is Puka Nacua A Good Fantasy Football Pickup For Week 2?

Fantasy players should make Nacua their top waiver wire target this week. The rookie wide receiver should be Stafford’s top weapon until Kupp returns.

The former BYU star had 16.9 fantasy points in his first career game. He outscored Ja’Marr Chase (6.6), Amari Cooper (5.2), DJ Moore (3.5), and Christian Kirk (1.4) combined.

While the Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers is far from ideal, fantasy players should add Nacua off the waiver wire and stash him on their bench. The former BYU receiver has star potential in a Los Angeles offense that lacks playmakers.

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