It was an up and down Week 17 for Pro Cougs in the NFL as many are playing with no playoff implications. Jaden Hicks and Frankie Luvu got more playtime but did not stand out and Daiyan Henley had a dominant showing. Pro Bowl rosters came out and the Cougs received zero pro bowl starters after having multiple selected the last few seasons. 

Frankie Luvu: On Christmas day Luvu and the Commanders had the opportunity to showcase their talents. Unfortunately, only the offense showed up. The defense was abysmal and Luvu was one of the reasons. Luvu finished with seven tackles and one pass deflection, he also gave up three catches for 32 yards. As the season comes to a close next weekend Luvu and the Commanders will be looking to bring some momentum into the offseason. 

Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson: In just 32 defensive snaps Hicks totaled two tackles and gave up one catch for six yards. He has been making mistakes that have cost him play-time. Jaylen Watson has been “shut down” for the season by the Chiefs, in what seems to be a move to keep him healthy and not risk injury with nothing to gain left this season. 

“I think if you asked Jaden, he’d tell ya he’s kind of had an up-and-down season. He’s made some mistakes that I wouldn’t have thought he would’ve made in his second season,” Spagnuolo said. 

Daiyan Henley: In a big game for playoff seeding against the Texans, Henley stepped up to the plate. He finished with 10 total tackles and gave up one catch for only seven yards. With Henley’s contract being up in 2026 it will be interesting to see how the Chargers treat the offseason and draft this spring. 

Cam Ward: He has done something no other Titan rookie QB has ever done: throw for 3,000 yards. Ward had an impressive performance against the Saints with 251 passing yards and two touchdowns. He only ran for 10 yards on two carries but it is a part of his game he has not explored to the fullest extent yet. According to PFF Ward’s last three games he has put up 74.4% adjusted completion rate, 635 passing yards, six TDs, zero INTs and a 104.0 passer rating. 

Abraham Lucas: Against the Carolina Panthers Lucas had his hands full with the sneaky good Panthers d-line. He held his ground however, not giving up too much pressure. But, there were times he got beat and forced Sam Darnold into throws and areas he did not want to go. Against the 49ers on Jan. 3 it will be interesting if he can bounce back from his performance in Week 1. 

Kyle Williams: Against the Jets he had three catches for 20 yards, the Patriots made an effort to get Williams the ball early with two catches in the first quarter. The Patriots had been using him to stretch the field but it seems like they are starting to use him in the short/intermediate pass game. With Stefon Diggs potentially being suspended or punished for his off the field charges, a role for Williams might open up significantly. 

Esa Pole: With the Chiefs being eliminated from the playoffs they are planning on letting younger guys get more playtime and Pole is delivering. Pole was the highest graded Chiefs offensive lineman according to PFF, with a 66.1 game grade. 

Overall, with the season coming to an end next week, Cougs like Henley, Williams and Lucas will be playing in the playoffs whilst the others get a long offseason.