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INSIDE THE WAR ROOM — The Los Angeles Rams knew they had something special with Puka Nacua.
But this wasn't right after the rookie receiver out of BYU broke a 63-year-old NFL record for receiving yards and receptions by a rookie.
Shortly after Nacua hauled in his league-record 105th catch for 1,486 yards — breaking the record by Houston Oilers late legend Bill Groman held for more than half a century — the Rams' social media team dropped a video of the moment head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead knew they were about to pick up a special player.
It was the third day of the draft when LA stole Nacua with a fifth-round pick.
"He's got Alec Ogletree in him," said Snead from the Rams' war room, after hearing reports of Nacua's poor 40-yard dash time at his BYU pro day. "Couldn't test well but could chase the rabbit. Alec could run, but he could never run a forward. ... His speed playing is fast."
McVay quickly agreed.
"I think this guy would be really good for us, Les," he said.
"I want a guy that is going to be where he's supposed to be, that will stay grounded through the catch, aggressive hands, that will dig out support in the run game, and that can be an extension of the run game," McVay added. "This guy can be a functional piece of an offensive operation."
The rest is history for the former Orem High standout who will make his NFL Playoff debut Sunday against the Detroit Lions (6:15 p.m. MST, NBC) and report to the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando beginning Feb. 4.
