Where do Rams' Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua rank among the NFL's top receiver duos in 2023?
The Matt Stafford-led, high-flying, air-raid Los Angeles Rams offense is back to full strength.
The Rams activated wide receiver Cooper Kupp off of injured reserve on Saturday after he missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury. Heading into a big matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, the move gives Stafford back his leading receiver over the last two seasons. The 2021 NFL receiving yards leader and Offensive Player of the Year winner will only add to a passing offense that has thrived all season, even in his absence.
That's been thanks to the efforts of rookie receiver Puka Nacua, who through four games established himself as a more-than-capable leading pass-catcher for the Rams' offense. Through four games, he's put up 501 receiving yards and is on pace for the first 2,000-yard season by a receiver.
How will the Rams' leading receivers compare to other top pass-catching duos in the NFL?
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Best pass-catching duos in the NFL 2023
Here are the top receiving duos in the NFL so far this season, ranked by their combined receiving yards.
No. 5: Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Despite Mike Williams only having played in three games before a season-ending ACL injury, he and Keenan Allen are fifth in the NFL with their combined receiving yards total at 683 through four weeks. They narrowly beat out Miami's Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who have combined for 680 yards through four weeks. Waddle also played in just three games with a concussion keeping him out in Week 4.
No. 4: Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Here's a team no one expected to have this kind of representation before the year began. Thanks to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud's strong start and fellow rookie Tank Dell's excellence as a wide receiver, Nico Collins and Dell have combined for 695 receiving yards, fourth in the NFL.
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No. 3: A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
The only surprising part about A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith's appearance on this list is perhaps how low they are. Brown and Smith have combined for 698 receiving yards through four games and have combined for four of the team's five receiving touchdowns so far.
No. 2: Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Current NFL receiving yards leader Justin Jefferson heavily carries this duo with 543 yards, but tight end T.J. Hockenson has been a solid pass-catching tight end in his time with Minnesota. The two have a combined 746 receiving yards this year.
No. 1: Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
Even without Kupp for four weeks, the Rams and quarterback Matt Stafford have continued to air the ball out, and the results have spoken for themselves. Nacua has been an outstanding lead receiver in Kupp's absence and Atwell has held his own with what is almost a career-high 270 receiving yards. The two lead the NFL with a combined 771 receiving yards. With Kupp returning in Week 5, the Rams are officially putting the NFL on notice.
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