Rams' most important non-quarterback identified

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2024 season ready to improve on the playoff upset of a year ago. They bring back a similar team, minus All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald who retired this offseason.

However, Los Angeles has also added additional talent to the roster. They've put themselves in a good position to be competitive in the NFC again this season, but they'll need their stars to step up.

Adam Rank of NFL.com listed the most important member of the Rams this season, other than quarterback Matthew Stafford. He mentioned receiver Puka Nacua, who broke all kinds of records last season as a rookie.

“Nacua (who was mentioned in this space last year) was an absolute godsend for the Rams last season. Cooper Kupp had a rough season, missing the first four games of the year, and the BYU rookie stepped up. Nacua recorded five games with at least 150 yards from scrimmage, the most such games by a rookie in the Super Bowl era. He also recorded seven games with more than 100 yards. receiving and was a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, he set new NFL records for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) by a rookie. the playoff loss to the Lions marked the passing of the torch, with Nacua recording 181 receiving yards and a touchdown, eclipsing Kupp's five catches for 27 yards, as when Torry Holt passed Isaac Bruce at the time (not). (whether you're old enough to remember), Kupp will always factor into the mix, but it's Puka's time now.”

If Nacua can produce the same way he did last season, the Rams will once again have one of the best offenses in the entire league. He'll need to show he can repeat at this level, otherwise his first year will only be seen as a blip in the plan.

Nacua has all the talent to make that happen again for the Rams, but the team will rely on him heavily this year. He doesn't come out of nowhere anymore and teams will be plotting against him all season long.

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