Ethermac Exchange-Is Puka Nacua Rookie of the Year front-runner after brilliant game vs. Saints? 'He would get my vote'

INGLEWOOD,Ethermac Exchange Calif. — New Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani sported a No. 17 Rams jersey at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night. The $700 million man will wear 17 going forward with the Dodgers and he received a custom No. 17 jersey from the Rams before the game. But Thursday night was all about a different No. 17 — Los Angeles Rams breakout rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua.

“He’s playing at a very high level right now. The game has slowed down for him,” Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp said of Nacua. “His demeanor, being able to just slow it down and do the things that he wants to. He’s been getting open and making big plays from the start.”

Nacua amassed nine catches for a game-high 164 receiving yards and a touchdown in Los Angeles' 30-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints. In the middle of Nacua’s stellar game, he found time to look up at the jumbotron inside the stadium while Ohtani was on the screen.

“It was perfect timing,” Nacua, a fifth-round pick, said. “I looked up at the big screen and they were showing him on the camera. It put a big smile on my face. Him rocking No. 17.”

Ohtani, a two-time MVP, was named the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2018. The Rams' No. 17 is emerging as a serious candidate for this year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He leads the 2023 rookie draft class in most receiving categories, including receptions and receiving yards.

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Nacua already surpassed the Rams' single-season record for rookie receiving yards. Now Nacua (96 catches) is closing in on Jaylen Waddle’s NFL rookie receptions record of 104 set in 2021. And Nacua (1,327 receiving yards through 15 games) is threatening to eclipse Bill Groman’s rookie single-season record of 1,473 receiving yards that was achieved in 1960.

If Nacua breaks both marks and if the 8-7 Rams earn a playoff berth, it’s going to be hard not to vote the wideout NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Houston Texans star first-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is in concussion protocol, might have been the favorite entering the holiday season. But Nacua’s prolific campaign and performance Thursday night suggest he should be in consideration — and he might even be the front-runner.

“He’s outstanding. I couldn’t be more grateful for the contributions,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “You talk about that balance. You can’t have the balance if you don’t have receivers that are willing to dig out support and do some of the things that he does. You see around the league, (C.J.) Stroud’s had a great year, but this guy — he would get my vote. He’s really special.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X: @TheTylerDragon.