Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has enjoyed his best season yet in the NFL. The third-year pass-catcher led the NFL with 129 receptions and also finished with career-highs in receiving yards (1,715) and receiving touchdowns (10).
And while he’s on the field a lot, Nacua actually produces better when there are fewer receivers in the lineup. According to @JoshiosTweets on X, Nacua’s yards per route (YPR), expected points added (EPA) per play and yards after the catch (YAC) double when the Rams are in 13 personnel versus 11 personnel (three tight ends versus one tight end on the field).
In 11 personnel groups, Nacua averaged 3.18 YPR, 0.21 EPA per play and 1.13 yards YAC. But in 13 personnel, Nacua’s averages balloon to 6.20 YPR, 0.46 EPA/play and 2.69 YAC.
This makes sense, if only because more tight ends on the field typically means more players who can block effectively. The same can be said for Davante Adams and Konata Mumpfield, although their routes run are much lower than the rest of the Rams’ skill position players in 13 personnel.
What this all really means is that Nacua isn’t scheme-specific and actually excels when there are fewer pure pass-catchers on the field at a time. The Rams love to get Nacua the ball in space, too, and adding more tight ends who can block on the field only bolsters that probability.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams WR Puka Nacua performed better when more TEs were on the field
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
