Here’s the Week 18 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: Did not play
With the Rams having secured their playoff positioning before their season finale, Puka Nacua and other starters sat this one out. Over 11 games this year Nacua had 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns. His average of 90 receiving yards per game ranked third in the NFL. It will be exciting to see what the former BYU star does in this year’s playoffs.
No. 2 - Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Stats: 8 tackles, 1 TFL
The 49ers had a rough season overall going 6-11, but Fred Warner had another great year and was selected as a Pro Bowler. Despite playing on a broken heel bone for a large part of the season he finished the year with 131 tackles, five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, one sack, and one interception (a pick-six).
No. 3 - Kyle Van Noy, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Stats: 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
The 33-year-old, 11-year veteran just completed the best season of his career. His sack this week triggered a $250,000 incentive bonus, which is sweet. KVN registered career highs with 12.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, and 14 tackles for loss this year. BYU fans will be cheering him in the postseason.
No. 4 - Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 3 punts, 48.7 yard average, 57-yard long, 1 inside 20
The rookie punter had another solid week to cap off his first NFL season, including a 57-yard bomb. His net average of 42.9 yards ranked eighth in the league as Rehkow flashed future Pro Bowl potential as he continues to hone his craft.
Ryan Rehkow: game changer pic.twitter.com/EBrtPmzm9v
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) January 5, 2025
No. 5 - Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 9 rushes, 52 yards (5.8 YPC); 2 receptions, 17 yards
The Falcons once again relied heavily on starting running back Bijan Robinson who had 28 carries for 170 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. It’s incredibly frustrating watching Tyler Allgeier, a former 1,000-plus yard rusher, get limited touches despite being just as effective as Robinson.
I’m hoping the Falcons trade him this offseason so he can start elsewhere, but that’s highly unlikely as he has one year left on his cheap rookie contract. On the season he had 137 carries for 644 yards (4.7 YPC) and three touchdowns plus 13 receptions for 88 yards.
No. 6 - Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers
Stats: 8 rushes, 59 yards (7.4 YPC)
The second-year pro had a solid season in his first year with the Green Bay Packers. He finished the regular season with 59 rushing yards, the second highest total of his young career. On the season he had 36 carries for 183 yards (5.1 YPC) and a touchdown. He will continue to be an important contributor during the Packers playoff push.
No. 7 - Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers
Stats: 9 offensive snaps, 6 special teams snaps
It’s just baffling - BAFFLING! - how the Panthers coaching staff continues to start center Cade Mays and guard Chandler Zavala over Brady Christensen. I live in North Carolina and watch every Panthers game and I just don’t get it. In Week 18 the Panthers deployed Christensen as a situational jumbo package blocker as his frustratingly underutilized season mercifully comes to an end. Here’s to hoping he uses his upcoming free agency to find a team that uses him more effectively.
No. 8 - Sione Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots
Stats: 1 tackle; 11 defensive snaps, 3 special teams snaps
Takitaki’s first season in New England was largely derailed by injuries, but he carved out a meaningful role by the end of the season. On the year he had 21 tackles in 11 games with four starts.
No. 9 - Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints
Stats: 8 carries, 15 yards; 1 reception, 7 yards
Jamaal got a number of carries in the Saints season finale, but didn’t quite average two yards per carry. On the season he had 48 carries for 164 yards (3.4 YPC) and a touchdown.
No. 10 - Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers
Stats: Did not play - injured
The fourth-year pro missed the final game of the regular season due being placed in the concussion protocol last week. Hopefully he will be healthy enough to contribute on both defense and on special teams during the Packers playoff run.
No. 11 - Khyiris Tonga, DT, Arizona Cardinals
Stats: 1 tackle, 15 defensive snaps
Khyiris had a productive season as a rotational player, recording 22 tackles in 13 games in his first season in Arizona.
No. 12 - Michael Davis, CB, Washington Commanders
Stats: No stats; 11 special teams snaps
After starting in Week 17 - and often struggling in coverage - Davis spent Week 18 back on special teams.
No. 13 - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Stats: 31 offensive snaps, 1 special teams snap
With the Chiefs playoff seeding secure, Kansas City gave backups like Kingsley a chance to play most of the game. Suamataia’s 31 offensive snaps were the most he played since Week 10. The former BYU star’s rookie season has been uneven with mostly special teams work, but he’ll continue to do his part for the Chiefs in this year’s playoffs.
No. 14 - Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 22 offensive snaps, 7 special teams snaps
After playing just one offensive snap this season prior to Week 18, the second-year tackle played 22 offensive snaps in the season finale. His season as a whole wasn’t the breakthrough many BYU fans were hoping for after being relegated to mostly special teams work in 2024, but he is still early in his career with a lot of upside.
Have Not Played:
Jaren Hall, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos
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