Puka Nacua has quickly become one of the best wide receivers in the NFL despite being a fifth-round pick only two years ago. But what if he had to pick another position to play besides wide receiver?
It would never happen, of course, but he was asked that very interesting question on the “Join The Lobby” podcast recently. You might think tight end would be a natural transition, given his receiving skills and blocking ability. Running back would also make sense with how hard he runs as a ballcarrier.
Even cornerback would be logical considering he lines up across from that spot on every play. He went with a different position, though. He said he could play defensive end, and his explanation is fascinating.
“I don’t know, I can’t do backwards,” Nacua said when asked about playing defensive back. “That’s maybe why DB is difficult because you’ve got to go backwards. But I think I could play defensive end because our positions are the most similar in the game of football. DB is like left tackle and we’re like defensive ends. It’s funny because they’re on opposite ends. But just because as a receiver, you get in trouble for running down the middle of a guy. But like a defensive end, after I do a move and I can tell you’re stumbling, I can run you right over. That’s just how it works. If I do that as a receiver, that’s offensive pass interference. Because I've been so physical my whole life and grew up with older brothers, and I think the game of football needs to have a certain level of physicality to it for it to be enjoyable – at least exciting, in my eyes – I want to do that every play.”
Nacua plays the wide receiver position as physically as anyone in the league so it’s no surprise he’d enjoy collisions with tackles at the line of scrimmage. And with his releases as a receiver, they could reasonably translate to playing edge rusher.
But there’s a difference between shaking a defensive back at the line and getting around a 6-foot-7 tackle with 34-inch arms. It wouldn’t be for a lack of effort on Nacua’s part, though. He puts everything into each play so you know he’d do anything possible to pressure the quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Puka Nacua reveals which position he could play besides WR
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