Final Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Wide Receivers, Part One

Each week throughout the 2023 NFL season, we have covered two or more rookies, looking at their performance to date and future potential. With the 2023 season now complete, the final report cards are due. I’ll only look at their time on the field, ignoring injuries that caused them to miss games. This week, we’ll look back at the 2023 rookie wide receivers.
2023 stats: 105 receptions on 160 targets, 1486 yards, and six receiving touchdowns; 12 carries for 89 yards; 298.5 PPR points, WR4 overall
With Cooper Kupp missing the first four games of the NFL season, the Rams needed someone to step up. That someone was Puka Nacua, a fifth-round rookie hailing from BYU. Nacua set the rookie record for single-game receptions in week two with 15 and was the WR4 in fantasy football through the first four weeks of the 2024 season. By the end of his rookie season, he also held the record for most receptions and yards. The yardage record was set in 1960 by Bill Groman. He eclipsed Justin Jefferson’s 1,400-yard rookie season (2020) and Ja'Marr Chase’s 1,455-yard rookie season (2021).
The most impressive part of his season was his ability to produce alongside Cooper Kupp, who finished as the WR1 overall in 2021 and looked like he would do it again in 2022 before an injury in week ten forced him to miss the final eight games. He was so dominant in the first half of 2022 that he finished as the WR23 overall in only eight complete games.
According to our rookie ADP, it’s incredible to think Nacua was a fourth-round rookie pick. In our most recent 1QB January ADP, he is up to WR7 overall in the first round of startups. Well deserved. There are only five wide receivers I would rank above him.
Gain Instant Access to this resource and so much more!.
Premium membership provides access to all of our industry-leading dynasty fantasy football content.
You can also get a DLF Premium Membership for FREE! Find out how.
Want more info about DLF Premium? Find out more
Have questions or need some help? Contact Us
Already a DLF Premium Member? Log in now!
Select your favorite players for easy access to news and updates.
The Dolphins have released running back Raheem Mostert.
Read moreThe Falcons have signed free agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett.
Read moreFormer Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has signed with the Chiefs.
Read moreThe Jets have informed Aaron Rodgers of his release.
Read moreFormer Giants, Chiefs and Browns wide receiver Kadarius Toney was arrested on two counts -aggravated assault - strangulation and obstructing/harassing 911 calls.
Read moreEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 17-of-22 passes for 221 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception, while adding 72 rushing yards and another score en route to being named this year's Super Bowl MVP.
Read moreEach week throughout the 2023 NFL season, we have covered two or more rookies, looking at their performance to date and future potential. With the 2023 season now complete, the final report cards are due. I’ll only look at their time on the field, ignoring injuries that caused them to miss games. This week, we’ll look back at the 2023 rookie wide receivers.
2023 stats: 105 receptions on 160 targets, 1486 yards, and six receiving touchdowns; 12 carries for 89 yards; 298.5 PPR points, WR4 overall
With Cooper Kupp missing the first four games of the NFL season, the Rams needed someone to step up. That someone was Puka Nacua, a fifth-round rookie hailing from BYU. Nacua set the rookie record for single-game receptions in week two with 15 and was the WR4 in fantasy football through the first four weeks of the 2024 season. By the end of his rookie season, he also held the record for most receptions and yards. The yardage record was set in 1960 by Bill Groman. He eclipsed Justin Jefferson’s 1,400-yard rookie season (2020) and Ja'Marr Chase’s 1,455-yard rookie season (2021).
The most impressive part of his season was his ability to produce alongside Cooper Kupp, who finished as the WR1 overall in 2021 and looked like he would do it again in 2022 before an injury in week ten forced him to miss the final eight games. He was so dominant in the first half of 2022 that he finished as the WR23 overall in only eight complete games.
According to our rookie ADP, it’s incredible to think Nacua was a fourth-round rookie pick. In our most recent 1QB January ADP, he is up to WR7 overall in the first round of startups. Well deserved. There are only five wide receivers I would rank above him.
Gain Instant Access to this resource and so much more!.
Premium membership provides access to all of our industry-leading dynasty fantasy football content.
You can also get a DLF Premium Membership for FREE! Find out how.
Want more info about DLF Premium? Find out more
Have questions or need some help? Contact Us
Already a DLF Premium Member? Log in now!