X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Rams Clash - Puka Nacua vs. Cooper Kupp For 2024 Fantasy Football

Puka Nacua - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Who to draft? Andrew Ball takes a look at the Rams wide receivers, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Can both of them be reliable fantasy football assets in 2024?

Everyone loves an underdog story. Puka Nacua is following in Cooper Kupp's footsteps as the darling of the fantasy football world.

Kupp entered the league as a below-average athlete from a school, Eastern Washington, with four players on NFL rosters (Kendrick Bourne, Samson Ebukam, & Nsimba Webster). His draft capital, 69th overall, reflected his backstory. On his combine results page on the NFL's website, his ceiling was "eventually an average starter." While Nacua came from a more high-profile university (BYU), his athleticism score was worse than Kupp's. He was viewed as nothing more than a backup or special teams contributor in the NFL.

As we know, both have proved scouts wrong and emerged as first-class talents in the league. Looking ahead to 2024, which Rams' wide receiver will accumulate more stats than the other?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2023 Head-to-Head Statistics

From Calvin Johnson to Cooper Kupp to Puka Nacua, Matthew Stafford will provide his wide receivers with record-breaking opportunities. In 2012, Johnson broke the single-season receiving yards record (1,964 yards). Kupp holds the NFL record for most receiving yards in a combined season and postseason (2,425 yards in 2021). Nacua set the rookie records for most receptions (105) and yards (1,486).

Not every season can be record-breaking. Kupp's receiving totals from the last two seasons have failed to match the 1,947 yards he posted in 2021. Injuries played the most important role in Kupp's diminished production. He was the WR1 in fantasy points per game in 2022 until an ankle ailment sidelined him for the season's final eight games.

The arrival of Nacua allowed Stafford to spread the wealth, which resulted in a hit to Kupp's otherworldly numbers from previous seasons. The Super Bowl LVI MVP made the cut as a WR2 in fantasy points per game (13.7). Removing the game Stafford missed (Week 9) and the contest against Seattle that Kupp left early (Week 11), that number inflates to 15.5.

Player Games Target Share Target Rate Receptions Per Game Receiving Yards Per Game Touchdown Rate Yards Per Route Run Yards Per Target Fantasy Points Per Game
P. Nacua 17 28.7% 29.1% 6.2 87.4 5.1% 2.72 9.3 17.6
C. Kupp 12 25.6% 25.6% 4.9 61.4 8.3% 1.99 7.8 13.7

Kupp missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury, but that was already baked into his cost for some August drafts. The injury caused him to slip into the fourth round, and he lived up to the WR2 price.

Kupp was essentially the only show in town before Nacua arrived. Stafford doesn't need to look toward number 10 on nearly every passing play to move the chains now. It couldn't have come at a better time, given that Kupp's age (he'll be 31 when the season begins) is catching up to him.

 

Where Are Nacua and Kupp Being Drafted?

Let's talk about cost because one of these players is not cheap.

The fantasy football community is still infatuated with the unheralded fifth-round pick from a year ago. So much so that Nacua's ADP places him at the end of the first round (10th overall, ADP of 11). Nacua finished sixth in fantasy points per game last season, and four of the five receivers who finished ahead of him (CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Justin Jefferson) are pricier for fantasy drafts in 2024. Ja'Marr Chase is the only other wide receiver being drafted ahead of Nacua.

Kupp is far cheaper. His ADP of 33 slots him just inside of the third round. It's a reasonable gap between the two. Nacua enters his second year, and he'll presumably improve from his rookie to sophomore campaigns. Kupp just recorded the second-fewest receptions and yards of his career. But Kupp's career is far from over, and he could deliver a strong return on investment at his price.

Fantasy managers were faced with a similar dilemma in 2021. Then-Rams receiver Robert Woods entered the year with three straight seasons of at least 86 receptions. Kupp narrowly edged out his partner in receptions and yards the year prior, but Woods nearly tripled his total touchdown output. The ADPs were much closer than Kupp and Nacua in 2024, but managers that selected Woods suffered through watching Kupp break records, while Woods' season (and tenure in Los Angeles) ended after nine games.

 

2024 Outlook

Barring a seismic surprise during the NFL Draft or the rest of the offseason, nothing has changed for the Rams' offense in 2024. Stafford will be slinging. Kyren Williams will be running. Kupp, Nacua, and veteran Demarcus Robinson, who played over 90 percent of the snaps by the end of the season, will be the primary receivers. The sole difference could be tight end Tyler Higbee, who remains on the roster but tore his ACL and MCL during the team's Wild Card loss to the Detroit Lions. He may not be healthy to kick off the new campaign.

Nacua is one of the safest wide receiver options. Managers would like to see his touchdown total (6) pick up. He tied with a handful of tight ends (Mark Andrews, Cole Kmet, David Njoku, Hunter Henry, and George Kittle) and logged one fewer than "disappointing" wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Gabe Davis. Nacua plays the same role in this Rams' offense as the aforementioned Robert Woods. Woods' best mark for receiving touchdowns during his stint in Los Angeles was also six.

That's part of what makes Nacua such a safe bet. He managed to be the WR4 in 2023 without the inflated touchdown total. 150+ targets and 100+ receptions are near-guarantees in a healthy season. Finding the endzone more often would push him into the elite tier with Chase, Lamb, and others. Competition for targets with Kupp, coupled with a lack of year-over-year gaudy numbers, prevents him from climbing any higher on the ADP ladder.

The positives for both Rams' receivers outweigh the negatives. For Nacua, the only potential downside is that Kupp reinserts himself as the alpha in Los Angeles. Kupp has injury and age concerns, but Stafford has always produced fantasy points for his wideouts as a healthy quarterback. He comes with his own set of injury concerns. Should both play at or near a full schedule, Kupp will outperform his ADP.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
NHL

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Kyle Larson

Can Kyle Larson Dominate at Bristol Again?
Denny Hamlin

One of the Best at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

All Eyes on Ryan Blaney at Bristol
Chase Briscoe

Whiffs in Qualifying, Will Start 31st in Bristol Night Race
Ty Gibbs

Could Contend at Bristol
AJ Allmendinger

on the Pole for Bristol Night Race
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RapSheet: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Expected to Be Lead Back Moving Forward
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
Brock Purdy

Officially Ruled Out Against Saints
Jauan Jennings

Given Questionable Tag for Week 2
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Dallas Goedert

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Xavier Worthy

Listed as Doubtful to Play in Week 2
Jayden Reed

Hopes to Return in November Following Surgery
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Ketel Marte

Expected to Return on Friday
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Quinshon Judkins

Questionable to Make NFL Debut in Week 2
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sees Little Usage in Week 2, Outlook Still Trending Upwards?
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Leads Commanders in Catches, Scores Touchdown Again
Tucker Kraft

Posts Huge Performance on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Lack of Joe Mixon Injury Updates Sparking Concern for Fantasy Managers?
Jayden Reed

Fractures Collarbone, Headed for Injured Reserve
Austin Ekeler

Commanders Fear Austin Ekeler Tore his Achilles
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 10 in Win
Aaron Judge

Matches Yankees Legend with Two-Homer Game
Austin Ekeler

Injured, Carried Off Field with Non-Contact Injury
Jayden Reed

Ruled Out with Shoulder Injury
Quinshon Judkins

Browns Insider Expects NFL to "Come Down Heavy" on a Quinshon Judkins Suspension
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Return on TNF With Shoulder Injury
Anthony Volpe

Playing Through Partially Torn Labrum in his Shoulder
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
Tyreek Hill

Chiefs, Steelers Eyeing a Trade for Tyreek Hill?
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Chris Godwin

to Be Limited in His Return Thursday
Brock Purdy

Out 2-5 Weeks With Turf Toe
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Kyle Monangai

to See More Carries Going Forward?
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Will Smith

Scratched With Hand Soreness on Wednesday
Ketel Marte

has Foot Contusion, Expected to Play Friday
Shohei Ohtani

Won't Pitch This Weekend
MacKenzie Gore

to Start on Thursday
Ketel Marte

Exits Early on Wednesday
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Anthony Rizzo

Retires
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Masyn Winn

Will Require Offseason Knee Surgery
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Ranger Suárez

Ranger Suarez Strikes Out 12, Earns 12th Win on Tuesday
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Will Smith

Returns to Dodgers Lineup on Tuesday
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP