18-07-2025
Davante Adams, Puka Nacua both ranked outside top 10 WRs by NFL coaches and executives
As a tandem, there's no question Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are among the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. But individually, coaches, executives and scouts don't see either player as being one of the 10 best at their position.
ESPN polled talent evaluators from around the league on the top 10 wide receivers and neither Nacua nor Adams made the cut. They both ended up being honorable mentions in a group that includes four other receivers, but they fell short of the coveted top 10.
There's a case to be made for both of them being ranked much higher but for whatever reason, they were snubbed.
One NFL defensive coach was shocked Nacua didn't make the top 10, while an AFC executive said he 'probably doesn't have the high-end ability as some of the others on the list.'
"I can't believe he's not in the top 10. He's just got the 'it' factor." -- NFL defensive coach
If ESPN put the honorable mentions in order by the number of votes players received, that would make Nacua the 12th-best receiver and Adams the 16th-best – both of which are probably too low.
Here is the full top 10 from ESPN's poll.
Ja'Marr Chase
Justin Jefferson
Tyreek Hill
CeeDee Lamb
A.J. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Malik Nabers
Nico Collins
Mike Evans
Garrett Wilson
One NFL coordinator had this to say about Adams, who was ranked No. 5 just last season in this same poll: 'When you watch him up close, he's still exactly what the classic 'X' receiver should look like."
Since the 2020 season, Adams has caught 59 touchdown passes, the most of any player in the NFL in that span. Since Nacua came into the league in 2023, he's averaged 88.4 receiving yards per game, which is the fourth-highest of any player.
Adams has the ninth-most catches since 2023 and Nacua has the 10th-most – and that's despite both of them playing fewer games than the only eight players with more receptions in the last two years.
After this season, it's possible Adams and Nacua will both vault into the top 10, assuming they're able to stay healthy and reach the high expectations everyone has for them as teammates. Big things could be in store for the Rams' new-look receiving duo.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Davante Adams, Puka Nacua ranked outside top 10 WRs by coaches
