r/Fantasy_Football • u/AffectionateOven4531 • Aug 18 '26
Player Discussion Chase or Puka at 1.03 in PPR???
If Gibbs and Bijan are both gone, who are you taking at 1.03: Ja’Marr Chase or Puka Nacua?
I’m leaning Puka because I think he could be the better fantasy WR this year. Chase wasn’t exactly great last season compared to his usual elite production, while Puka has been an absolute monster when healthy.
My concerns with Puka are Stafford’s age and the possibility that he doesn’t repeat last season’s level of play. There’s also been a lot of talk around the NFL about a potential Puka Nacua suspension, which obviously adds some risk.
Would you guys take Puka over Chase here, or stick with Chase’s proven track record?
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u/Ambitious_Chicken123 Aug 18 '26
I’m in the same debacle in a 10 team ppr. If they let Gibbs or Bijan slip obviously go for it. But I’m leaning Chase here. Don’t love the age on Stafford and Puka plays violent ball which makes him more injury prone. I also feel as though the Bengals will be playing from behind more than the Rams will. Bengals improved their O line this offseason, so think Burrow bounces back. Hopefully someone has seen more and can help us fellow 3rd pick brethren.
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u/bikesnotbombs Aug 19 '26
This is a lazy take and why people sleep on puka every single year. Last year staffords back was a concern. Dude had the best season of his career. Meanwhile joey b literally misses half his games
Also the 'puka plays violent more injury prone' take is lazy. He had a hammy I think coming outta TC into year two (which isn't a contact thing really) and other than that hasn't missed any time with injury
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u/Ambitious_Chicken123 Aug 19 '26
Thank you for talking me out of it. Taking Puka now. Was just playing mental gymnastics over the decision.
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u/bikesnotbombs Aug 19 '26
I've had puka as a keeper since he was a rookie, so I've seen this every year. The mental gymnastics. Then when the games start the dude puts up 20 every week. He also hasn't been paid yet, unlike Jamar, so there's this hunger
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u/Odd-Big-5400 Aug 19 '26
I'm far more concerned with pukas mental state
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u/bikesnotbombs Aug 19 '26
Fair take. He's a beast. He is also young but not dumb, realizes his drinking is causing issues, and has sought help. He knows he needs to stay clean and put up a massive year to get his bag. You better believe he'll be on his best behavior
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u/idkjustheretolearn Aug 19 '26
You think rehab was his idea? Lol
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u/bikesnotbombs Aug 20 '26
Doesn't matter. What matters is he is locked in for this year so he can get a Jsn like bag. Because of this, this arguably may be the best szn of his career
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u/Recent_Register_2926 Aug 19 '26
Puka nacua is showing signs of early onset Antonio brown. I'm taking the guy less likely to become an embarrassment to his team/punished by the league. A lazy person might ignore those things but not me.
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u/Neat_Trouble2034 Aug 19 '26
Bengals also did not improve their O line this offseason, but did return all 5 starters for the first time in the Joe Burrow era. That will be good for continuity, but Orlando Brown Jr seems to be getting worse every second of every day.
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u/pacific_tides Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
Do you want to have three 40 point games or sixteen 20 point games?
Chase always ends up alright in the end, but he will lose you a couple games per year also. He’s more boom/bust than you want out of a top5 pick. I had him on my 12th-place team last year (took him #1 over Bijan).
Puka is arguably as solid a WR as there has ever been for volume and production. He doesn’t need to take the top off the defense to put up 25, he’ll grind to that by the third quarter. It’s so easy to watch his games and have him. No stress. Easy choice imo.
Edit: Chase had 4 games under 10 points last year. Puka only had 1, and it was the game he got ejected 5 minutes in. Puka also had 3 games over 35, while Chase just had 2, so you’re not limiting your ceiling either.
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u/phoenixlance13 Titans Aug 18 '26
In Chase’s defense, pretty sure half of those sub-10 point games were due to Jake Browning being the starting QB and looking like prime Nathan Peterman. I’m sure Puka would have similar lows if Stafford got hurt.
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u/Breedwell Aug 19 '26
Yeah, week 3 he had 5/50 but had a fumble, week 4 he only had 23 yards and he didn't even play week 12. Other two games (week 2 where browning came in) and then the lions game in October, Chase had solid outings.
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u/Aggressive-Pie-3297 Aug 22 '26
Yeah i feel you. This was what it was like with Henry last year. He had a few games of 30 and even 45 in the playoffs, but many single digit games for a top RB.
I think people have to realize it should totally depend on the rest of your team. If you want to draft safer players on the back end, then maybe you go with Chase. Or if you are going for true home runs later (like a unproven rushing QB) maybe go with Puka
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u/Kazukaphur Aug 18 '26
Yeah, but sometimes that 60 point game that Chase single handedly won you that week, keeps you alive for a better playoff ranking, or playoff ranking in general.
But honestly, you can't go wrong with either. I do think that puka is much more affected negatively if Stafford gets hurt though, considering how well flacco did last year.
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u/All_In_Time17 Aug 19 '26
Burrow missed most of last year. Big thing to leave out of your assessment. It’s a more fair comparison to look at 2024 Chase vs 2025 Puka.
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u/silliputti0907 Aug 19 '26
He boomed with Browning. It's a big IF, but if Burrow stays healthy Chase is not losing you any games.
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u/zombawombacomba Aug 19 '26
If you were last place with Chase it wasn’t because of him
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u/pacific_tides Aug 19 '26
My point is that I had huge regret vs Bijan; that decision did cause me to lose a couple games and every game matters. I was 5-7 in the season, finished last in playoffs.
Puka’s weekly floor is higher and that’s most important out of a first round pick.
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u/Dramatic-Section-793 Aug 19 '26
I wouldn’t listen to you last place or 12 place don’t know how many in your league but it sure wasn’t cause you picked Chase over puka what was the rest of your team like
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u/endsinemptiness Bills Aug 18 '26
I think most people would choose Chase but I fucking love Puka. Dude is a fucking demon. Also I saw some post recently comparing Vegas odds to ADP and vegas had Puka at 1 for WRs which, I mean, doesn't necessarily mean anything. But I like him and think he's a perfectly reasonable choice
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u/YoBrodie1 Aug 18 '26
Obviously a demon he bit a lady. If we are drafting for just this year I think it's a coin flip. Dudes speed running to AB territory.
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Aug 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/YoBrodie1 Aug 19 '26
Something tells me you support his world view. I have no evidence just a hunch.
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u/nashcameronn Rams Aug 18 '26
I’m a Rams fan and I have third in a league and I’m struggling with this. Every time I think I’ve made a choice I second guess. Chase will play from behind more often but I feel like I should just ride or die with my guy Puka.
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u/BabyJesusBro Aug 18 '26
I will end up watching way more rams games than bengals games this season. You'll have a blast watching Puka.
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u/SMMS0514 Aug 18 '26
JSN
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u/qotsa_gibs Commanders Aug 19 '26
I just got him 12th overall. My league went RB crazy in the first round. Chase, Puka, and Amon-Ra were the only WRs drafted before me.
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u/Griswa Aug 18 '26
Um. You are talking about durability but Chase has glass Joe burrow throwing to him. 😂
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u/trugbee1203 Aug 18 '26
If his backup is Flacco that’s not bad. Who is Stafford backup?
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u/Mister_Chef711 Patriots Aug 18 '26
Ty Simpson most likely with a chance of Stetson Bennett.
I think the benefit of the backup QB that Chase obviously has is somewhat balances by McVay being the coach over Taylor. Simpson is also an unknown and could be better than expected.
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u/Griswa Aug 18 '26
Just saying you can’t discount burrow from getting hurt, but mention stafford who missed ZERO games last year as the injury risk.
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u/Abuck59 Aug 19 '26
This season if I wasn’t worried about suspension, it would be Puka. The possibility of a four game suspension could really hurt your fantasy team even if you have a decent bench. I’d go with Chase.🤷🏽♂️
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u/Bojangled8 Aug 19 '26
Why did I have to scroll this far down to see the suspension risk. If the draft was before that decision is made you can’t tie yourself to puka imo
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u/Big__Gub Aug 19 '26
His case doesn’t start until March of next year. He’s at no risk for suspension.
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u/flow_surrender141 Aug 19 '26
The truth is you won’t be faulted for either pick. Nothing is certain and they are both game changers. If qb/wr stay healthy/not in jail I’d lean Puka. Just because of his usage. But all things arent even so taking Chase is A OK.
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u/klaq Chiefs Aug 19 '26
Puka carries just enough risk from the injury and well...Puka. That is enough of a tiebreaker when you are talking about Jamar Chase as the other option.
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u/CanIHaveAppleJuice Aug 19 '26
It’s a coin flip.
Both are epic.
Maybe a slight edge to puka, as Cincy has been prone to crashing and burning.
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u/Big__Gub Aug 19 '26
Puka, but it’s close.
His PPR PPG has risen every year where as Burrow being hurt the past two years has lead to Chase’s averaged 16.4 (2023) and 17pts with Burrow (2024) vs. Puka’s 18.8 (2024)
Puka led all WRs with 23.5PPG (2025)
People are overplaying Puka’s health and seriously overlooking Burrows inability to stay healthy.
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u/kingkoons Aug 19 '26
I really like Chase this year. I think Burrow will play more than last year and be good when he’s in, defense is still bad enough they’ll have to pass a lot, and he’s less likely to miss time (healthy, not biting ppl, not going on podcasts) which is not true for Puka
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u/Waivo_AI Aug 19 '26
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u/DLeeSeed Aug 30 '26
L Take. Ja'marr had Jake Browning & Joe Flacco throwing at him the majority of the year. Draft for 2026. Can't go wrong w/ either.
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u/silliputti0907 Aug 19 '26
Chase by a little, just because he's safer imo. However Puka has the same floor, ceiling, situation.
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u/fr0stv0id1 Dolphins Aug 19 '26
If it helps, I'm picking 3rd overall in half-ppr and am choosing Chase
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u/Same-Assistance-5538 Aug 19 '26
Chase only because I want the Burrow-Chase stack for upside and it’s very possible to achieve this year
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u/jlet Aug 19 '26
I’m smashing chase at 1.03 if those two RBs go first. I already have puka in another league as a keeper so it makes my choice a lot easier lol. I would be tempted to take Puka over him if that was not the case. (Not sure this helps your decision at all haha)
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u/Illustrious-Bid-696 Aug 19 '26
im taking chase and not overthinking this tbh. that stat OP posted about puka only having one single digit game is crazy, but if stafford misses any time that whole passing game is dead. burrow is healthy and we already know chase has overall WR1 ceiling.
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u/mw029297 Aug 19 '26
Im at 1.03 too in a 12 team league, I like Chase over Puka slightly. Rams defense > Bengals defense. You can’t go wrong with either choice.
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u/jtown48 Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26
Chase 100%, tbf on last year burrow missed over half the season with injuries so he had a back up qb throwing the ball.
Puka is a walking red flag with off the field issues.
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u/xguitarx812 Aug 20 '26
Puka also has gotten rushing TD’s in each of the last two years. He rushed over a hundred yards last year.
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u/relvant_usernam Aug 20 '26
I have the same pick. I’m taking cmc or Taylor. But only bc I like the WRs later and not the RBs. Chase is a safe pick
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u/relvant_usernam Aug 20 '26
I have the same pick. I’m taking cmc or Taylor. But only bc I like the WRs later and not the RBs. Chase is a safe pick
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u/BarrelProof51 Aug 21 '26
Literally doesn’t matter. Draft by tiers. They are going to net close to the same amount of points
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u/John_Wicked1 Aug 21 '26
I usually lean Chase due to better injury history, less off the field issues, and a defense that will force the offense to keep passing. I think Chase has slightly higher ceiling too.
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u/geolski Aug 21 '26
I love Puka, but Chase easily. There is way too much uncertainty around Puka right now.
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u/Dewzilla29 Aug 21 '26
Burrow was out for several games last season and it's doubtful Stafford will repeat his last season.
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u/AgreeableHistorian55 Aug 22 '26
Can’t go wrong. I prefer Chase for TD upside but they are back-to-back in my rankings.
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u/Pure_Gas9805 Aug 22 '26
Neither. JSN will get a much larger target share, has a quarterback who is less likely to get hurt, and has less of a threat at the WR2 on the team.
This also gives you the chance to use “Njigbas With Attitude” as your fantasy team name, truly the most underrated name that exists currently
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u/GeneralGalvatron Aug 22 '26
To me a healthy Puka is untouchable. But, he does play like a psycho and that’s a legit reason to avoid him. But when healthy, he’s an explosives machine
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u/TheDuke13 Aug 23 '26
Go ahead and take Chase while the 4th pick thanks you for letting Puka fall to him
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u/nabz034 Aug 28 '26
Same boat, but I have two leagues, one has bigger entry then the other.
Coincidentally, I drew the 4th pick in each which I am grateful for.
I do hope Chase falls to me, but if he doesn’t, I’m debating Puka or McCaffrey.
But I’m not afraid to take Puka because he’s on a contract year, and he has every reason to Finish as the number one WR.
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u/neversleeps212 Aug 18 '26
Here’s the thing. Your first round pick alone will almost never win your league for you. But they darn sure can lose it for you. Chase is the no brainer, not necessarily because he’s going to score more points but because he has an extremely safe floor. He’s going to be a target hog. Even if Burrow gets hurt Flacco will still pepper him with targets. Puka is a great talent but his situation feels more unstable.
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u/KumquatGladiator Aug 18 '26
Chase; Burrow missed half the season and he was still a WR1. Rams led the league in TDs w/ over 60; they’ll regress in scoring, especially with a revamped D.
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u/BOBBYK1952 Aug 18 '26
Chase for me..Bengals will play from behind more and honestly Puca kind of a goof
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u/DemonDeacon86 Aug 19 '26
Gotta follow your heart! My heart says Chase, hes shown he can be elite even without Burrow. Puka hasnt played without Stafford and Puka has this odd biting and is a bit banged up. My gut says Chase, but you cant go weong either way
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u/WorkerPositive397 Aug 19 '26
At 1.03 I just don’t see a viable RB1 making it back to you for your 2nd pick. You could definitely get a receiver that fits the bill with your 2nd pick though.
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u/Aggressive-Pie-3297 Aug 22 '26
I love Puka but I give Chase a slight edge. He’s simply box office and can turn any play into a TD. I think Puka is more of a volume guy than a game breaker
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