football

Puka Nacua could pass Justin Jefferson for NFL record

Yahoo Sports

Nacua could be the new receiving king, if he stays available

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles and Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings share a moment following an NFL Football game at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images Rams receiver Puka Nacua needs 1,709 receiving yards next season to pass Justin Jefferson for the most ever through a player’s first four seasons. If Nacua stays healthy and out of trouble, he’s already proven that he’s capable of doing that: Nacua had 1,715 receiving yards last season.

In doing so, Nacua passed Randy Moss for the second-most receiving yards through a player’s first three seasons and he did it in four fewer games. Only Jefferson was far out ahead of the filed at 4,825 yards compared to 4,191 for Nacua: However, in year four Jefferson missed seven games and had 1,074 yards, allowing the pack to catch up to him a little bit. Even then, Jefferson still has a good lead on everyone else through four seasons at 5,899 yards.

Former Rams receiver Torry Holt is sixth on the list: At 4,191 career yards through three seasons, Nacua needs 1,709 to reach 5,900 through four seasons, which would be an NFL record. But only accounting for total games played, Nacua is right behind Jefferson: Through a player’s first 44 career regular season games, Nacua only trails Jefferson by 57 yards. He’s first in catches at 313.

Had Nacua not missed six games in 2024, he’d potentially already be the leader. And this doesn’t include playoff games, where Nacua has already totaled an incredible 654 yards in six career postseason contests. If we lumped his 654 yards onto his 4,191 yards, that’s 4,845 yards—which is MORE than Jefferson had through 50 games and four seasons.