The Athletic recently issued a 2023 NFL Draft do-over by Nick Baumgardner. Despite not having a first-round selection in the real 2023 draft, the Los Angeles Rams had three members of their class from that year that would instead by taken on day one in a re-draft: Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young. These young, ascending players should serve as the building blocks for LA’s roster moving forward and they played a significant roll in the Rams’ quick rebuild and return to the playoffs.
While most knowledgeable draft watchers anticipated Nacua to perform better than his draft position (fifth round), it’s safe to say that very few, if any, predicted his 2023. The Rams were rejuvenated in part by Nacua’s relationship with Matthew Stafford, who set a rookie record with 114 receptions for 1,667 yards.
At BYU, Nacua was always a mishmash of ailments and flashes. We had just seen the flashes last year, and they were incredible.
*After originally being selected ninth overall by the Eagles, Carter was re-drafted at number five overall by the Seattle Seahawks in place of CB Devon Witherspoon who now went at seven to the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s astonishing that Nacua would now be considered a top 10 talent after falling to the late fifth round just a year ago. How will he follow up his historic rookie season?
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