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'The positive impact has already been felt': Puka Nacua on the value Davante Adams has already brought to the Rams

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – New Rams wide receiver Davante Adams could be seen giving Puka Nacua and other Rams receivers tips on releases off the line of scrimmage on Monday. Adams, known for his extensive release package, has already added significant value to the Rams' receiver room since he signed with the team this offseason.

"The positive impact has already been felt from Davante," Nacua said. "From the moment he walked in, he has been willing to offer information, to have new drills, to (share) a complete different mindset of somebody who's played in various offenses, very different schemes and stuff like that."

Adams, an 11-year NFL veteran and six-time Pro Bowler, has plenty of wisdom to share with a fairly young Rams receiver room. On Wednesday, Nacua spoke with the media and described the extent of Adams' impact in his short time with the team.

Nacua's route-running has looked sharper in practice, according to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, and he credited Adams with helping him diversify his release off the line. Nacua "loves the physicality" of the game, but said he has sometimes relied on that brute force at the start of his routes, as opposed to the "elusive" methods that Adams employs.

He called Adams' releases "an art form."

"The suddenness and the ability to steal leverage at the line of scrimmage has been something that (Adams) thrives at, and everybody in the NFL knows that that's something that is one of his greatest assets," Nacua said. "And to be able to figure that out and how that works in our route concepts and the timing of our offense, I'd say that's been one of the biggest things."

Nacua had one of the most well-rounded seasons of any receiver in the NFL last season, ranking top 10 in yards per route run against man (seventh, 3.04 YPRR) and zone coverage (first, 3.57) among qualified receivers, according to Pro Football Focus.

Still, he thinks there is room for even more efficiency within the intricacies of his game, and Adams has helped him tap into that.

"It's given me confidence to put my foot in the ground while running some of these different routes and breaking away from defenders," Nacua said.

There has been a noticeable shift in how the entire receiver room operates since Adams walked through the front door. Nacua is just one of the players who has benefitted from his expertise, as even the coaching staff has been open to his teachings.

"I think it's been an open-eye (experience) for our entire our offense," Nacua said. "Some of the route conversions, the things that he's put on tape and given confidence to our coaches to maybe see how it can fit our skill group and stuff like that, it's been exciting to see."

And none of that factors in the impact Adams will have on Sundays at SoFi Stadium.

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