Why Puka Nacua Could Be Your WR Steal of 2024

So Puka Nacua, sounds like a Hawaiian vacation spot  right? Man you got to get out more. Welcome back to StatsPro Fantasy Football, I'm your host Scott and joining me today is our resident fantasy football   expert ,Maverick Miles. Today we're diving deep  into one of the most intriguing prospects for   the 2024 season, Puka Nacua. This wide receiver  has been making waves and we're here to break   down everything you need to know about him. Miles, welcome to the show! Thanks Scott, it's a pleasure to be here and I can't wait to dive into Puka Nacua's potential. He's a fascinating player with   a lot of upside. Absolutely, let's start with the basics. Puka Nacua, the wide receiver for the Los  Angeles Rams has been getting a lot of buzz, and  lately he's shown flashes of brilliance. But   what do the numbers tell us about his potential  for the upcoming season? Nacua's 2024 Outlook is   exciting and a lot of that excitement is based  on his performance last season and his projected   role in the Rams offense this year. According to  ProFootball Focus, Nacua had a PFF grade of 90.2   in 2023, which is top-eight among all NFL wide  receivers and quite impressive for a rookie. This   grade indicates strong performance metrics, particularly in route running and catching   ability which he demonstrated when he set the  NFL rookie records for yards and receptions   in a regular season. That's impressive especially considering the competition he faced for targets. Let's talk about his role in the Rams offense.  With Cooper Kupp being a focal point, where does Nacua fit in? Nacua is likely to slot in as the Rams number two receiver, potentially even their go-to deep threat. With the Rams transitioning to a more balanced offense under head coach   Sean McVay there's plenty of opportunities for  Nacua to shine. Last season he had a Target share   of around 15% and, with the potential departure or  decline of other veteran receivers that number   could increase significantly. That's an exciting prospect but what about the competition?How does   Nacua stack up against other wide receivers in his  range? When we look at comparable players Nacua's ADP, or Average Draft Position, places him around the WR3 or WR4 range, depending on the format. According to Yahoo!  draft results, he's often drafted alongside players   like Brandon Aiyuk and DeVonta Smith, both of whom have  established roles but also face competition within   their respective teams, according to FantasyPros. But Nacua's advantage is his potential to carve   out a more significant role, especially if he can  build on his chemistry with quarterback Matthew   Stafford. Yeah, and speaking of Stafford how does the quarterback situation affect Nacua's value? It's crucial. Stafford is known for his ability  to distribute the ball effectively and he has a   strong arm, which is great for Nacua who excels in  deep routes. In 2023 Nacua had an aDOT, or Average   Depth of Target, of 13.7 yards, which is higher than  many other receivers in his ADP range, according to   FantasyPros. This suggests that he's a primary  target in the deeper passing game for the Rams   which can lead to bigger plays and consequently  for you, more points for your fantasy Squad. That's a great point. So now, what about the risks? Are  there any red flags that fantasy managers should   be aware of? There are a few concerns to consider. Firstly, although the Rams had one of the healthier offensive lines in the league last season, that unit was shaky, according to ProFootball Focus, ranking 27th in past protection. As surprising as that is, if they don't improve that number, it could   limit Stafford's ability to get the ball downfield,  impacting Nacua's production. Additionally, there's   the question of durability. Nacua had a couple  of minor injuries last season and while nothing   serious let's hope he can remain healthy this  year, according to NFL.com Fantasy. That's a good point. So to wrap up, Miles, what's your overall  take on Puka Nakua for Fantasy managers? I see Nacua as a high upside WR3, with the potential  to be a weekly starter, especially in deeper   leagues. His ability to stretch the field and the  potential volume he could see make him a great   value pick where he's currently being drafted.  While there are some risks, the upside and the   potential for big plays make him a compelling  option, especially for managers looking for a   breakout candidate. Thanks miles that was an outstanding comprehensive breakdown. For all our viewers out there keep an eye on Puka Nacua  this season. He could be a game changer for your fantasy roster. As always, if you enjoyed this breakdown make sure to like subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insights from StatsPro fantasy sports. Thanks for tuning in!