It’s rare that a non-quarterback wins the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, but Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has put himself in that discussion with a strong start to his first season.

And in just a few months in the NFL, Nacua has gone from being an unknown fifth-round pick to a household name, whether he wins it or not.

The latest recognition that Nacua received came in the form of a spot on the midseason All-Rookie Team put together by CBS Sports.

Along with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, Nacua was one of the two rookie wideouts chosen.

“Nacua did his best Cooper Kupp impression during the All-Pro’s injury absence to start the season, running as the true No. 1 in Sean McVay’s offense and making play after play after play,” CBS Sports wrote.

“Although Kupp’s high-volume role at the start of his NFL career has contributed to some of his production, the former BYU standout has 22 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown in the four games since his return.”

In total, Nacua has 61 catches for 795 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.

Nacua is only behind Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills, who leads the NFL with 64 receptions, among wide receivers. Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins and Nacua are tied for second place in terms of total catches. His 795 receiving yards are third in the NFL, behind only Hill (1,014) and A.J.

Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles (939), who both have a chance to shatter the record for most receiving yards in a season.

The most important thing for the Rams is that they seem to have found a building block with their fifth-round selection of the receiver. Nacua performed like a No.

1 option in McVay’s offense when the previously mentioned Kupp was out, and he has not stopped being productive since the former Offensive Player of the Year came back.

Nacua’s emergence gives you reason to believe that the Rams could return to contention sooner than expected.

For the first time since selecting quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Los Angeles is expected to have a first-round selection.

1 overall in 2016. If they were able to uncover Nacua in the fifth round, imagine what McVay and general manager Les Snead will be able to do with a selection in the top round.