The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL The rise of Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with Matt Harmon
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Oct 9, 2025 Matt Harmon, a renowned receiver analyst for Yahoo Sports and creator of Reception Perception, dives deep into the rise of Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He discusses how these atypical receivers are reshaping the NFL landscape and their impressive early-season production. The conversation highlights Puka's elite route technician skills, Amon-Ra's toughness and versatility, and JSN's successful transition from slot to outside play. They also explore the evolving offensive schemes that favor these brave, zone-beating receivers.
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New Receiver Hierarchy Emerges
- Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are leading the league in efficiency unlike traditional boundary X receivers.
- Their rise reflects changes in offensive and defensive structures, not just individual talent.
Fearless Over-The-Middle Receiver
- Puka's production stems from fearless attacking of the middle and improved catch mechanics.
- Sean McVay's designs create recurring windows for Puka to exploit over and over.
Separation Plus Grounded Catching
- All three excel at late, subtle separation and remain grounded through catches to gain extra yards.
- That efficient movement creates consistent post-catch yardage that inflates their value.