{"id":292655,"date":"2023-10-04T18:08:57","date_gmt":"2023-10-04T23:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=292655"},"modified":"2023-10-05T11:46:37","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T16:46:37","slug":"la-rams-puka-nacua-odds-rookie-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/la-rams-puka-nacua-odds-rookie-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"L.A. Rams Puka Nacua Makes Strong Case for Rookie of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua<\/a> is now +425 odds to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after a sensational start for the fifth-round draft pick.<\/p>\n

\"Puka
Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, seen here celebrating a game-winning touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Field, is now one of the betting favorites to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year. (Image: USA Today Sports<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud<\/a> is the only player who has better odds (+175) than Nacua to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OPOY).<\/p>\n

Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Ohio State, stands out as the top quarterback in his rookie class. He has completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,212 yards and six touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception in four starts.<\/p>\n

2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rookie\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nOdds<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CJ Stroud (Texans)<\/td>\n+175<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Puka Nacua (Rams)<\/td>\n+425<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bijan Robinson (Falcons)<\/td>\n+450<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Antony Richardson (Colts)<\/td>\n+550<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
De’Von Achane (Dolphins)<\/td>\n+600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zay Flowers (Ravens)<\/td>\n+1800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jordan Addison (Vikings)<\/td>\n+2500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)<\/td>\n+3000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Rams selected Nacua in the fifth round out of BYU, and he was pick #177 in the 2023 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

Nacua seemed like he came out of nowhere, especially to fantasy football players, and few non-BYU fans knew about his ability to make huge plays downfield until he stepped up in the first game of the season.<\/p>\n

Nacua Thrives with Kupp on the IR<\/h2>\n

The Rams didn’t freak out when Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp headed to the IR<\/a> with a hamstring injury to start the season because Nacua showed flashes of brilliance in training camp and during the preseason.<\/p>\n

I thought that he would be a great pro, and that everybody that passed on him would regret it,”<\/strong> said BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. “And looks like I’m right.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Nacua made an explosive debut in Week 1 with 10 catches for 119 yards in a victory over the Seattle Seahawks.<\/p>\n

In Week 2, quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Nacua 20 times, and the rookie hauled in 15 receptions for 147 yards.<\/p>\n

In Week 3, the Rams lost a 19-16 defensive struggle against the Cincinnati Bengals. Nacua caught five passes out of seven targets for 72 yards. He snatched 30 receptions through three games, but had yet to score a touchdown.<\/p>\n

Nacua finally reached the end zone in Week 4. Out of 10 targets, Nacua caught nine passes for 163 yards. He also scored a game-winning, walk-off touchdown in overtime to defeat the Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n

“Clutch production performance,” said head coach Sean McVay. “Making big plays over the middle and helping close out the game.”<\/p>\n

\n

Nacua set a rookie record with 39 receptions in his first four games. He currently holds the record for most receiving yards (501) by any wide receiver through the first four games of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After making a huge splash, Nacua jumped to the top of DraftKings\u2019 NFL awards board, and he’s now +425 odds to win the Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n

\n

POV You're on the field for @ASAPPuka<\/a>'s game-winner. pic.twitter.com\/izz8qwbBDd<\/a><\/p>\n

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n