Despite Week 2 loss, LA Rams have plenty of fight in them to thrill fans this season

Rams Receivers

I liked what I saw out of most of the LA Rams wide receivers. In fact, I loved what I saw out of rookie WR Puka Nacua.

So don't let the overall grade fool you. If it weren't for the poor play of WR Van Jefferson, this grade would have been an A+. Veteran WR Van Jefferson has been exceptionally quiet the first two weeks of NFL action, despite having success in previous seasons. The only impact Van Jefferson left on the game was when he poorly ran a route resulting in QB Matthew Stafford's second interception, otherwise, he only had 1 reception for 9 yards. For the afternoon, he was targeted just four times. Individually, Jefferson gets an F.

I hope he figures things out soon. On his current track, he risks going to the bench upon WR Cooper Kupp's return. After that, he will likely be peddling his wares in the 2024 NFL Free Agency as this is the final year of his contract.

WR Tutu Atwell had another solid performance despite failing to understand his route on a play near the end of the game. Rather than get an easy touchdown, the play resulted in an intentional grounding call on Stafford. It was obvious from the televised replay that the Rams called a perfect play to thwart the 49ers coverage, but Atwell's gaffe left a wide-open touchdown on the football field, a score that could have sent the game to overtime. Still, Atwell had 7 receptions for 77 yards. I gave him a B+ for his performance today.

Alright Rams fans, I saved the best for last. Puka Nacua is a young rookie who needs no introduction and earns an A+ in my book. Nacua appears to have been a diamond in the rough, a rookie prospect who was identified by Rams scouts as fitting this offense like a glove. And so far, he has.

Nacua was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and hails from BYU. So far, he has turned heads all over the league and seems to be, dare I say it, almost identical to his mentor, LA Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Nacua had 15 receptions for 147 yards in Week 2 and is bound to get his first career touchdown soon.. Nacua's performance has also cemented him in the NFL record book with 5 separate records:

Nacua sets the NFL Records straight

1. 3rd rookie since 1970 with 10+ catches in consecutive games
2. 5th NFL player with consecutive 10+ catches, and 100+ yards in the first two games of the season
3. 1st NFL rookie with consecutive 10+ catches, and 100+ yards in the first two games of the season
4. Most catches by a rookie through the first two games (25)
5. Most receptions by a rookie in a single game (15)

Rams rookie Puka Nacua should already be in the discussions for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Rams wide receivers: B