Rams’ Puka Nacua tops 2023 rookie class for fantasy owners

First things first: Few things are more exciting than firsts.

Your first kiss, first time trying a new food, first time visiting a thrilling location, first time seeing a great movie.

So imagine how far into first place of first-time experiences having an excellent first season in the NFL would be. Most of us never get to enjoy that first time even once. Most of us have to settle for landing that first-year player on our fantasy roster.

Rookies make fantasy impacts now more frequently than ever, at least in the Madman’s finite recall. This season was no exception.

When Cooper Kupp started the season sidelined with a hamstring injury, everyone wondered who would absorb the bulk of targets. Would it be Tutu Atwell? Van Jefferson? Ben Skowronek? Someone else? Spread around?

Little did we know the vast bulk would land in the hands of fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua. He hauled in 10 receptions for 119 yards in his first game. But he wasn’t done, grabbing 15 for 147 in Week 2. He had another monster game in Week 4 (9-for-163 and his first touchdown).

Even when Kupp return, Nacua still racked up more than 20 in PPR in Week 5. He was the third-best fantasy WR at that point — averaging 23.1 per week in PPR, trailing just Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs.

There was a midseason lull, when he averaged just 11.5 over six games — WR38 in that span. But in the four games since (through Thursday’s Week 16 game), he has averaged 20.3 — including 33 Thursday (9-for-164, one TD).

No other rookie has made that kind of fantasy impact consistently throughout the season, and that is why Nacua is our Fantasy Rookie of the Year.

Best Rookie QB: C.J. Stroud, Texans

Despite being injured as the fantasy playoffs began, there is no close second. Anthony Richardson might have been in the running if not injured early on. Will Levis, Tommy DeVito, Aidan O’Connell? You can’t be serious. Then there’s Bryce Young, who has been a starter all season (missed one game to injury) yet has averaged fewer than 10 fantasy points per game — at quarterback! If Young was the only candidate, we would refuse to award this award.

Best Rookie RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Once Gibbs got a chance to carry the load while backfield mate David Montgomery was out, the rookie crushed it. And he has stayed relevant since Montgomery’s return. The other top candidate, Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, didn’t get so lucky. He has been sabotaged by coach Arthur Smith throughout the season, splitting carries with everymen backs Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Best Rookie WR: Rashee Rice, Chiefs

This is actually the Best WR Not Name Puka award. And it was hotly contested between Rice and Minnesota’s Jordan Addison. We gave the edge to Rice based on his late-season surge, and the big dip in Addison’s production following the Week 8 injury to Kirk Cousins. Zay Flowers (Ravens) was too erratic, and injury sank Tank Dell (Texans).

Big weeks

Baker Mayfield QB, Buccaneers vs. Jaguars (FanDuel $7,300/DraftKings $6,000): We hate chasing points, and Baker blew up last week, but the matchup is too good. The Jaguars rank 30th vs. opposing fantasy QBs and have given up at least one passing TD in every game this season — including 12 in the past six games.

David Montgomery RB, Lions, at Vikings (FD $7,300/DK $6,900): Some seem jittery considering his timeshare with Jahmyr Gibbs. Don’t be. Montgomery’s volume still is worth at least 10 in PPR almost every week, and that is before any potential TDs.

Ty Chandler RB, Vikings, vs. Lions (FD $6,900/DK $5,600): Proved us wrong last week. If he gets the same volume, all he needs is one score to have a strong day, even in stiff matchup vs. Lions.

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Betting on the NFL?

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Courtland Sutton WR, Broncos, vs. Patriots (FD $7,300/DK $6,500): Steady though not spectacular. Has failed to reach PPR double-digits just twice all season, and just once with fewer than nine points.

Small weaks

Jordan Love QB, Packers, at Panthers (FD $7,500/DK $6,500): The Panthers being No. 1 vs. fantasy QBs is a mirage, since you don’t have to score (throw) a lot to beat them. But Love won’t have to throw a lot, either.

Jonathan Taylor RB, Colts, at Falcons (FD $9,000/DK $7,200): Coming off a thumb injury, all it takes is one fumble to limit his work. Don’t like players off long absences in general, and he has missed three straight. Plus, Atlanta hasn’t allowed a rushing score to an RB all season.

Austin Ekeler RB, Chargers, vs. Bills (N/A): The mystery is how coaching change will impact his workload. What isn’t a mystery is how terrible he has been when given the ball this season. New staff more likely to curtail touches rather than give some back.

Dalton Schultz TE, Texans, vs. Browns (FD $5,800/DK $4,600): Facing the league’s stiffest defense against tight ends. Plus, QB C.J. Stroud expected to be out again, which doesn’t help.

Daily Duel

Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling rosters into a DFS contest:

Site: FanDuel
Slate: Sun. main (9 games)
Type: $9 tourney
Top prize: $200K
Pot: $1M

Drew’s Crew

QB: Baker Mayfield, TB (vs. Jac) $7,300

RB: Aaron Jones, GB (at Car) $6,700

RB: Breece Hall, NYJ (vs. Was) $7,400

WR: Mike Evans, TB (vs. Jac) $8,700

WR: Josh Downs, Ind (at Atl) $6,000

WR: Brandin Cooks, Dal (at Mia) $6,100

TE: Logan Thomas, Was (at NYJ) $4,900

Flex: Raheem Mostert, Mia (vs. Dal) $8,800

DEF: Buccaneers, TB (vs. Jac) $3,700

Wilk’s Warriors

QB: Jared Goff, Det (at Min) $7,800

RB: Rachaad White, TB (vs. Jac) $7,700

RB: James Conner, Ari (at Chi) $6,500

WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det (at Min) $8,600

WR: Tyler Lockett, Sea (at Ten) $6,700

WR: Parker Washington, Jac (at TB) $5,300

TE: David Njoku, Cle (at Hou) $6,600

Flex: Breece Hall, NYJ (vs. Was) $7,400

DEF: Panthers, Car (vs. GB) $3,200

For late changes to Daily Duel rosters, follow @NYPost_Loftis on X.

Season risked: $139.44

Season’s winnings: Drew $88, Jarad $44