Puka Nacua: Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice (2023 Fantasy Football)

The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and now it’s time for dynasty rookie drafts. Landing spots and draft capital have been determined, and we’re here with your dynasty rookie draft outlooks. Let’s take a look at what Derek Brown expects of Puka Nacua.

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Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks & Predictions: Puka Nacua

Puka Nacua (BYU)

Sneak peek at:

Puka Nacua’s Combine Medicals pic.twitter.com/1FqFtP1MPw

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) January 26, 2023

Stats:

2022 (286 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 2nd
- PFF receiving grade: 2nd
2021 (251 FBS WRs, minimum 50 targets)
- Yards per route run: 6th
- PFF receiving grade: 30th

Career
- 39 carries for 357 rushing yards (9.2 YPC, five rushing scores)

Scouting report:

Puka Nacua might not get the hype of some of his prospect brethren because he attended BYU, but he deserves all the praise. Nacua ranked second and sixth in Yards per route run over his final two collegiate seasons (minimum 50 targets, per PFF). He flashes good footwork and a varied release package at the line of scrimmage.
Nacua also adds subtle nuances to his routes with pacing and head fakes. He’s strong after the catch. While he’s not a jitterbug, he’s tough to bring down with the ball in his hands because of his physicality and vision in traffic. He is a magician near the boundary, as his film is littered with tough grabs near the sideline with impressive footwork.
Those strong hands have also served him well in contested situations. He ranked 17th in contested catch rate in 2021 (minimum 10 contested targets per PFF). BYU tried to get the ball in Nacua’s hands in any way possible.
He was utilized on jet sweets and on the ground in 2022 as the fifth-leading rusher on the team, with 8.4 yards per carry and five rushing scores. Nacua has that dog in him.

Player Comp: Dollar Store Deebo Samuel

Dynasty Outlook: My man crush on Puka Nacua remains strong. Yes, I know he fell to the fifth round before the Rams selected him, but the wide receiver depth chart after Cooper Kupp is putrid. Los Angeles only has Ben Skowronek, Van Jefferson, Lance McCutcheon, Tutu Atwell, and Austin Trammell to compete with Nacua for starting reps in Week 1. Sean McVay stated that when he called Nacua to tell him they were selecting him in the draft, he loved his versatility. Do I smell a possible Bob Woods role for Nacua with the Rams? You bet I do. Nacua’s 9.2 yards per carry and 357 rushing yards at BYU scream that the jet sweeps that the former Ram received could become a part of this offense again with Nacua. Nacua won’t cost much in rookie drafts as he consistently falls to the fourth round or later. It wouldn’t shock me to learn that he will go undrafted in smaller dynasty leagues. Nacua could be the diamond in the rough of this class. I’m trading into every rookie draft late to select him that I can.