標籤: Nakua

A notable NFL mock draft suggests the Los Angeles Rams will make one of the biggest trades of the 2026 event for a player considered the best at his position.

After falling just short of reaching the Super Bowl earlier this year, the Rams’ brain trust is motivated to finish the story in 2026. And why not? They will bring back most of the same roster, including reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

However, they made some notable changes the following season to overcome division rivals and defending league champions, the Seattle Seahawks. They made a blockbuster trade for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Trent McDuffie. Then added his teammate Jaylen Watson in free agency. His aggressiveness has earned him the praise of rival officials.

Now, they will look for more players who can contribute in this week’s NFL Draft. They have one less selection in the first round after giving up their selection at 29th overall in the McDuffie trade. However, they still have the 13th overall pick. At that spot, they should be able to get a very good player. But there are rumors that they may not be enough.

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Maybe that’s why The Athletic’s Rams reporter Nate Atkins predicted a bold move in the outlet’s latest NFL mock draft that would have them give up the Nos. 13 and 61 picks and a 2027 fifth-rounder this week.

Atkins wrote, “The Rams are often trying to reach the top 10, but often have to go very far to achieve it.” “This year is different. They move from No. 13 to No. 6 to pursue potential receiver run backs. Carnell Tate is an option in this draft who projects as a future No. 1 pick without injury concerns. And that matters if the Rams are unsure about paying Puka Nakua.”

Atkins mentions that if Makai Lemon were still available at pick 13, he believes the Rams would remain in that slot. But receivers can blow up from that board to the back end of the top 10. This trade would bring to L.A. the player draft evaluators consider the most NFL-ready receiver at the moment.

Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie contract. After two Pro Bowl appearances in three seasons, re-signing him would seem like a no-brainer. However, the ongoing civil lawsuit and erratic behavior off the field over the past six months has raised some doubts over whether he can be invested in in the long term. The 24-year-old recently completed treatment at a holistic care and rehabilitation facility to deal with his recent internal troubles.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The price of Puka Nakua skyrocketed. And the Los Angeles Rams know it.

The wide receiver market has received a new reset, with the Seahawks cashing in on WR Jackson Smith-Njigba’s historic extension. And now? Beautiful is sitting as the next person in line to get Nakua paid. The Rams are looking at a loaded extension class heading into Year 4 – Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, Kobe Turner, and Byron Young – all worthy of locking in the bag long-term. But let’s be real, puka is major. He’s a WR1, Matthew Stafford’s security blanket, and a straight-up chain mover with YAC juice.

From a front office perspective, this is where you either strike early or risk seeing the price rise even higher. Shut him down now, otherwise you’re talking another terrible season. And that number? Yes, it’s only going up. However, for now, things are all quiet on the Nakua front. No leaks, no discussion, no urgency. But with a new market agreement on board, the clock is officially ticking in LA.

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Puka Nakua contract talks just got real

Smith-Njigba blew the WR market wide open on Monday morning. Four years, $168.6 million, and now the ripple effect is hitting LA. As soon as the deal fell through, all eyes were on Nekua. Same draft class, same production tier, same OPOY crap. But don’t expect the Rams to move at Seattle’s pace.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, this is not a copy-paste situation. Garafolo said, “Puka Nacua… was neck-and-neck with JSN last year in terms of production and his candidacy for Offensive Player of the Year. But based on my conversations, I expect the situation will be different with Puka and the Rams.” good morning football On 23 March.

Let’s call it what it is: It was always going to be a two-man race for WR1 money between JSN and Puka. Seattle blinked first and quickly got their man; Smart cap play, long term savings. Meanwhile, Ram? Maybe they added a few extra million per year to Puka’s future deal.

JSN set the level at $42.15M per year with $120M guaranteed. That’s no longer the ceiling, that’s starting line.

Now LA’s front office has two options. Either they try to thread the needle between Jammer Chase and JSN Money. Or they rip off the band-aid and make Nacua the highest-paid WR in football. And honestly? Nekua’s got a case.

Over the past two seasons, he has been the WR1 production-wise, finishing second in catches and yards; Right behind JSON. This guy has been a volume monster, a YAC monster, and Stafford’s favorite in the clutch spot. Yes, there has been some turbulence along the way. But when it comes to contract negotiations, production speaks louder than anything else.

The market has just reset, the floor is just higher, and if the Rams want to keep their alpha WR… they better come right with the bag.

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