Puka Nacua may have achieved what other receivers his age could only dream of

Puka Nacua's transcendent rookie season earned him a distinction few players can claim in their second season.

The 23-year-old wide receiver made the NFL's Top 100 players list in his second season, coming in at No. 33.

The NFL's Top 100 list is voted on by the players, making it an award of Nucua's peers. The distinction also shows how dominant his rookie season for the Los Angeles Rams was compared to other rookie receivers.

"The 2023 fifth-rounder came out of nowhere to make his mark. Nacua finished his first month as a pro with 39 catches for 501 yards and a touchdown, and he ended his first regular season as a pro with the rookie record in both catches (105) and receiving yards (1,486)," NFL Network writes. "He then lit up the Lions in a losing postseason effort, collecting nine catches for 181 yards and a score, already his fifth performance of 140-plus yards."

What has helped Nacua find himself as a player in the league has been the tutelage of veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

The two have appeared to be quite inseparable during the first year of Nacua's career.

During the 2024 offseason, Nacua worked out with Kupp as often as possible. He credits Kupp with teaching him the nuances of being a great wide receiver in the league.

“Cooper, from the moment of the Super Bowl, we were texting each other during the Super Bowl saying, ‘Hey, Monday you could get a little bit of (a) break, but I expect to see you back Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.,’" Nacua said Saturday. “So, from the moment we watched those guys win the championship, to all the way to where we had to report to camp, we’ve been working and getting better at various different things.”

Nacua added: “I have five brothers in my own family, but I feel like Coop’s been the brother that I never knew I had. It has been such a big blessing to be able to have somebody who’s been in the L.A. environment for longer than I have and to kind of clear the waters for me and steer me in the right direction… steer me away from the bad things and keep me on the good things. It’s been such a blessing. I love that guy.”

Kupp is the fourth Rams player to appear on the list. Matthew Stafford came in at No. 49 , joining running back Kyren Williams (No. 78) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (No. 69).

With one of the league's best in his corner, it is easy to see why Nacua has found early success in his career . In the 2024 season, the pressure is now on for him to live up to his rookie season production. That is what will separate the good from the great.

"He's going to be a better football player than he was last year, and that's all you can do," Kupp said to a Los Angeles-based reporter .

The Rams are surely hoping for it.