Los Angeles Rams, sophomore wide receiver, Puka Nacua set an NFL record last year by catching 105 passes in his rookie season. However, this record may not last long.
Brock Bowers, a rookie tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders, is on pace to break Nacua’s record. With 52 catches through eight games, Bowers is projected to finish the season with over 111 receptions.
Can Bowers Pass Puka Nacua’s Rookie Reception Record?
Bowers is also leading the NFL in receiving yards for tight ends, 535, and if Bowers gains 65, more receiving yards this Sunday, NBC Sports noted in a recent article, he will join an exclusive group of tight ends, including Mike Ditka and Kyle Pitts, who have achieved at least 600 receiving yards in their first nine career games.
Nacua also broke the long-standing rookie receiving yards record as well. Bill Gorman held that record for 63 years before Nacua moved past his, 1473 yards by just 13 yards. It should be of note that Gorman achieved his record in 14 games, versus 17 for Nacua.
The reception record doesn’t have the same track record. Jaylen Waddle set the record in his 2021 rookie season with 104 catches. Nacua met and surpassed Waddle in Week 17, he promptly left the game after setting the record.
Ironically, the Rams wanted to trade up with the expressed interest in drafting Bowers. They attempted to trade up to the 10th and then the 11th overall pick — offering the New York Jets picks 19, a second-rounder, and a third-rounder in exchange for pick 11 and a sixth-rounder. However, the Jets declined the offer.
Ultimately, Bowers was selected by the Raiders with the 13th overall pick, while the Rams drafted Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse with their original 19th pick.
Bower obviously would have been a great addition to the Rams offense, but Verse is also having a banner rookie season, leading all rookies by a wide distance in quarterback pressure. He is currently the front-runner to win Defensive Player of the Year.
