Los Angeles Rams Consider Drafting Wide Receiver in 2026 NFL Draft Amid Puka Nacua Situation

The Los Angeles Rams face decisions regarding wide receiver Puka Nacua, who became eligible for a contract extension this offseason. 2. The team holds the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, acquired after trading their No.

29 pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie. " Kimes suggested the Rams could trade with the Cincinnati Bengals to move from the No. 13 to the No. 10 pick. She projected the selection of former Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

“The Rams are a little worried about the future at receiver right now," Kimes said. " — Mina Kimes (Newsweek) Nacua, 24, has been involved in several off-field incidents during the 2025 season. Following the Rams' Week 14 victory over Arizona, Nacua live-streamed from the locker room, which drew criticism from some teammates.”

Two weeks later, he invited streamers Adin Ross and N3on to the team facility, but they were denied entry; Nacua later stated that head coach Sean McVay disapproved of the invitation. On December 18, 2025, ahead of the Rams' game against the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua appeared on Ross' stream and performed a gesture described as antisemitic.

Nacua issued an apology, stating he had no knowledge that the gesture perpetuated harmful stereotypes.

The NFL and the Rams released statements in response. After the Rams' overtime loss to the Seahawks, Nacua posted on X, formerly Twitter, blaming the referees for the defeat. According to a report by The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue, citing a Rams team source, Nacua checked himself into a private care facility in March 2026 and has remained there since.

The report indicated that the team's concerns about Nacua's behavior increased significantly during the offseason. Rodrigue noted that the Rams did not suspend or punish Nacua for the in-season incidents, and McVay praised his on-field performance after the livestream while expressing hope that he would learn from his mistakes.

However, the organization has emphasized that Nacua must address his off-field behavior to secure a contract commensurate with his production.

6 million extension, setting a market benchmark for the position. The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh. The Rams' draft strategy could involve targeting receiver depth, given Nacua's situation and the aging of teammate Davante Adams, who turns 34 in 2026.

Stakeholders include the Rams' front office, Nacua's representatives, and the broader NFL community monitoring contract trends.