Chad Johnson warns Rams WR Puka Nacua: "Don't change that diet"

Could LA Rams rookie WR Puka Nacua have been any more dominating in his rookie season? I mean, he set the All-Time NFL Rookie Receiving Records for receptions and receiving yards. So isn't that enough? Well, it wasn't enough to earn him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. That title went to Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud because, well, just because . . .

The NFL tends to hold an unshakable bias towards players chosen in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. If you do not believe me, just check out the cases of NT Kobie Turner, who had the best rookie season of any defensive player in the NFL, but still lost Defensive Rookie of the Year honors to Houston Texans OLB Will Anderson.

Both QB C.J. Stroud and OLB Will Anderson were selected in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. NT Kobie Turner was selected in Round 3 and Puka Nacua was selected in Round 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft. See the problem?

LA Rams second-year players are tackling the 2024 NFL season with zest. And they have not just rolled into the new year with the same old approach. We know that NT Kobie Turner has already reached out to the perennial trainer of All-Pro DT Aaron Donald. Similarly, Nacua is upping his game by preparing for the 2024 NFL season by training with teammate WR Cooper Kupp.

The thing is, former NFL great wide receiver, Chad Johnson, is not a fan of the new look Puka Nacua. In his view, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Also known as Ocho Cinco (85, for his jersey number), Johnson admonishes Nacua for trying to change his training and diet habits after putting on such an incredible NFL rookie season.

It's clear that Chad Johnson is not a fan of the nutritionist's theory that has become ever so popular among NFL professional athletes. But does he have a point:? After all, Nacua has admittedly dropped 10 pounds in the offseason from his 2023 playing weight of 220 pounds to now down to 210 pounds. He says he is much lighter and faster, but is he faster? And does less weight and muscle on his frame open him up to more injuries?

One thing is certain. Chad Johnson was correct in his assertion that it is all about the numbers. If Rams second year WR Puka Nacua is injured in 2024, or cannot replicate his 2023 production, then how long will it take for analytics and analysts to assign a causal relationship to lighter playing weight and less production?

Even as WR Cooper Kupp is incredible productive on the football field, some question his durability to remain healthy. The LA Rams certainly do not want to face managing another starting wide receiver's workload due to injuries in 2024.

As always, thanks for reading.