BYU players in the NFL Week 17: Puka Nacua and Kyle Van Noy shine while Zayne Anderson goes down

Plus Fred Warner and a Sione Takitaki rack up tackles while Michael Davis draws a start.

Arizona Cardinals v Los Angeles Rams
Arizona Cardinals v Los Angeles Rams | Brooke Sutton/GettyImages

Here’s the Week 17 summary of former BYU Cougars in the NFL. Power Rankings reflect this season's overall performance.  

No. 1 - Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Stats: 10 receptions, 129 yards

Puka continued his dominance by reeling in 10 of Matthew Stafford’s 17 completions and contributing 129 of the Rams 189 receiving yards. 

No. 2 - Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers

Stats: 6 tackles, 1 TFL

The 49ers lost to a really good Lions team on Monday Night Football as Warner racked up six more tackles and a superb tackle for loss near the goal line. 

No. 3 - Kyle Van Noy, LB, Baltimore Ravens

Stats: 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit

The veteran edge rusher did his part in delivering a Christmas Day blowout win for the Ravens. KVN now has a remarkable 11.5 sacks on the season. 

Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Marlon Humphrey
Baltimore Ravens v Houston Texans | Brooke Sutton/GettyImages

No. 4 - Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals

Stats: 1 punt, 47 yards, 1 inside the 20

Rehkow was only called upon once in a Bengals victory but he delivered with a 47-yard punt that was fair caught at the 10. 

No. 5 - Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Stats: 3 rushes, 19 yards

So frustrating. Is starting running back Bijan Robinson really good? Yes, he is. But is Tyler Allgeier equally as good and criminally underutilized? Also, yes. On the season Robinson has 276 carries averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Allgeier has 128 carries averaging 4.6 YPC, and he has done this despite often getting carries in obvious running situations. Allgeier getting just three carries in a critical overtime loss while Robinson had 24 touches is mind boggling.  

No. 6 - Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers

Stats: No stats; 8 offensive snaps; 12 special teams snaps

While the second-year back didn’t touch the ball in this one, he did his part with solid blocking and special teams play. 

No. 7 - Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers

Stats: 3 special teams snaps

The Panthers continue to inexplicably sideline the fourth-year veteran. Free agency can’t come soon enough for the productive, versatile lineman. 

No. 8 - Sione Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots

Stats: 8 tackles

Takitaki got another start and responded with a season-high eight tackles. He was one of the few bright spots on a Patriots defense that got carved up in a blowout loss. 

ST
Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

No. 9 - Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints

Stats: 2 carries, 12 yards; 1 reception, 12 yards

Jamaal saw limited touches in another Saints bad loss but he made the most of them. On the season he has 40 carries for 149 yards and a touchdown plus eight receptions for 50 yards. 

No. 10 - Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers

Stats: Started, 1 tackle

This is a heartbreaker. Getting his second career start, Zayne lasted just 11 defensive plays before suffering a head injury while making a special teams tackle. He didn’t return to the game and is now in the concussion protocol. Just as Zayne’s season was taking off, he gets injured. Heal up!

No. 11 - Khyiris Tonga, DT, Arizona Cardinals

Stats: 2 tackles,13 defensive snaps

The massive defensive tackle reprised his rotational role and delivered two tackles in just 13 defensive snaps played. 

KT
Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Naquan Jones (96) celebrates with defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (95) after recording a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

No. 12 - Michael Davis, CB, Washington Commanders

Stats: Started, 6 tackles

The veteran got the start under the bright spotlight of Sunday Night Football, but he was also under the microscope. As a spot starter he was repeatedly targeted in coverage and gave up a lot of catches and committed a pass interference in the end zone. It was a rough outing for Davis though the Commanders still pulled out the win.  

No. 13 - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Kansas City Chiefs

Stats: 4 special teams snaps

As in previous weeks, Kingsley played just a few special teams snaps in another Chiefs win. 

No. 14 - Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts

Stats: 6 special teams snaps

Freeland’s second NFL season continues with limited special teams assignments. 

Have Not Played:

Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos

Jaren Hall, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Injured Reserve

Taysom Hill, TE/HB, New Orleans Saints

Finished the season with 39 rushes for 278 yards (7.1 YPC!) with six touchdowns. Taysom also had 23 receptions for 187 yards, completed two passes for 21 yards, returned one kick for 42 yards, and tackled a punter in the end zone for a forced fumble with a safety.

On Practice Squads: 

Dax Milne, WR, Carolina Panthers

Kedon Slovis, QB, Houston Texans

Max Tooley, LB, Minnesota Vikings

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