‘He was one of my highest-rated guys,’ John Harbaugh said of Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua before the draft.
The Ravens’ head coach isn’t surprised by the rookie’s outstanding performance in year one.
The Baltimore Ravens have a dismal track record of appraising and developing rookie wide receivers despite the franchise’s usually stellar track record of spotting talent at most positions. However, they appear to have struck gold with the selection of former Boston College great Zay Flowers with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
They were known to be interested in Flowers throughout the pre-draft process, even as early as the East-West Shrine Bowl, where they were supposedly “connected to the hip” with him throughout practice week, and they also had him in for one of their official top 30 visits. He’s been a revelation as a rookie, leading the Ravens in targets (80), catches (58), and receiving yards (613) through 12 games.
According to Head Coach John Harbaugh, Flowers was not the only receiver on his radar this spring and in the months preceding up to the selection. He was interested in former Brigham Young University standout Puka Nacua, who was picked by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round at No. 177 overall. He has been not only the league’s most productive rookie receiver this season, but also one of the most prolific pass catchers overall.
“He appealed to me. “He was one of my top guys,” Harbaugh stated on Monday. “Ask anyone around here. Ask Greg Lewis, the wide r
Nacua currently has the most targets (117), receptions (77), receiving yards (1,029), and receiving first downs (49) among rookies. While his sudden success and ascent to popularity has been one of the league’s biggest surprises this year, Harbaugh insists he anticipated it coming.
“He’s playing exactly like I expected him to, for the record,” Harbaugh remarked with a smile.
When the Rams visit Baltimore for a Week 14 interconference game, the Ravens will face the challenge of restricting Nacua and the rest of the Rams’ lethal offensive weapons. Their pass catchers include playmakers who specialize in making contested catches, stretching the field vertically, and finding soft areas in zone coverage, as well as some who, like Nacua and former First-Team All-American Corey Davis, are capable of both.
“They have an excellent receiving corps.” “They have guys all over the place,” Harbaugh remarked. “Cooper Kupp is also not awful. [Tyler] Higbee is an excellent tight end. Demarcus [Robinson] is also performing admirably. [Tutu] Atwell is a fast player who must be watched downfield at all times. As a result, it’s a good bunch.”
Fortunately, Baltimore possesses the league’s strongest defense. After a much-needed bye week, they expect to have every member of their starting secondary back for this game. This includes three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has missed the team’s last two games due to injury.
a calf issue but has been a full participant in practice this week, and Marcus Williams, a seventh-year veteran free safety who has been coming on strong after struggling with hamstring and pectoral injuries.
“I just feel like he’s kind of ready to step out and go make some big plays for us,” said Harbaugh of Williams. “He’s working his way around the ball now.” He appeared downfield in front of the ball a handful of times. He made a couple of powerful tackles and looks good. You don’t want to forget about him. He’s a fantastic football player. Marcus is a fantastic football player, and having him back there is a huge advantage for us.”
