Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams have gone from virtually unknown to top-10 fantasy assets at their positions in just three weeks.
The Rams offense ranks fifth in FTN's DVOA through two weeks and has been rejuvenated with a healthy Matthew Stafford. Nacua and Williams are doing more than their part, as well, thriving as the key playmakers in Sean McVay's offense.
Here's a breakdown of the duo and how high our experts rank them entering Week 3 of the NFL season.
Puka Nacua
In our experts’ initial Week 3 PPR fantasy football rankings, Nacua is Sean Koerner’s No. 12 wide receiver and Chris Raybon’s No. 5. His average rating between the two comes in lower than Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, Chris Olave, Ja’Marr Chase (assuming Joe Burrow misses Week 3) and Mike Evans.
It makes sense! Nacua’s numbers through two weeks match up with the best in the NFL. Here’s where he ranks in key receiving categories:
- Second in receiving yards (266), 43 behind Justin Jefferson
- First in receptions (25), five ahead of Jefferson in second, eight ahead of Stefon Diggs in third
- First in targets (35), 10 ahead of Jefferson in second
- First in yards after catch (111), eight ahead of CeeDee Lamb and Jefferson in a tie for second
The one thing Nacua doesn’t have on his statistical resume: a touchdown. His next chance for that will be on Monday Night Football against the Bengals to close out Week 3.
Kyren Williams
Last year, the Rams backfield was a mess. Before the season, it was assumed that Cam Akers would be the bell cow. But instead. it was Darrell Henderson who got the majority of the snaps to start the season. Akers eventually took over and finished the regular season very well for owners who either scooped him up off waivers or were very, very patient.
In his rookie season, Williams was consistently behind Akers and Henderson. He was given little playing time and never made a huge impact.
Well, it’s the Kyren Williams Show now for the Rams. Akers and Henderson are gone, and Williams is Los Angeles’ clear RB1. Williams played 74 of the Rams’ 77 offensive snaps against the 49ers in Week 3, with backup Ronnie Rivers taking the other three.
For Week 3, Koerner’s initial rankings have Williams as the No. 9 RB in PPR scoring, while Raybon has him all the way up at No. 3.
Again, it makes sense!
Williams doesn’t stand out among league leaders as much as Nacua, having only run for 104 yards this season. He does have three rushing touchdowns, though, and has thrived as a receiver. The former Notre Dame RB has six catches for 50 yards and another touchdown through two games.
Williams does lead the NFL in one category: touchdowns. He’s the only player with four scores this season, ahead of Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Brian Robinson and Anthony Richardson, all of whom have three.
