Badgers in the NFL: Week 17

Veterans

• Russell Wilson, QB (Seahawks): Wilson nearly led the Seahawks to a game winning touchdown drive, but came up just short in a thrilling loss to the 49ers. The former Super Bowl champion capped off a terrific 2019 season with 233 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in Week 17. Next up for Wilson and the Seahawks is a trip to Philly to face the Eagles on Wild Card weekend.

• James White, RB (Patriots): The six year veteran had three catches for 33 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ upset loss to the Dolphins. White had another productive season for the Pats as Tom Brady’s go-to safety valve. He finished the year with 72 receptions and 908 total yards (645 receiving, 263 rushing).
• Melvin Gordon, RB (Chargers): Gordon finished with six catches and a season-high 76 receiving yards in the Chargers’ season finale. He added 46 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The former Pro Bowler had an up and down, holdout-shortened season and would benefit from a change of scenery as he heads into free agency.

• Dare Ogunbowale, RB (Buccaneers): Ogunbowale rushed for four yards on his only carry of the game in Week 17.
• Derek Watt, FB (Chargers): Watt saw just two snaps at fullback, but played 74% of special teams snaps in Week 17. In his fourth season, Watt established himself as a key special teams player and one of the better fullbacks in the NFL.
• Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Saints): Ramczyk started every game at right tackle for the Saints this season. The former first round pick has been dominant all year and will be in the mix for an All-Pro selection.

• Rick Wagner, OT (Lions): Wagner was inactive for the third straight week due to a knee injury. The seven year veteran started twelve games at right tackle for the Lions in 2019.
• Rob Havenstein, OT (Rams): Havenstein was inactive for the sixth straight week due to a knee injury.
• Kevin Zeitler, OG (Giants): Zeitler started his fifteenth game of the season at right guard for the Giants on Sunday.
• Travis Frederick, C (Cowboys): Frederick started all sixteen games at center this season for the Cowboys. The former first round pick has been named to five Pro Bowls in his first six years in the league.

• Ryan Groy, C (Chargers): The six year veteran played eight total snaps (3 offense, 5 special teams) in Week 17.
• Troy Fumagalli, TE (Broncos): Fumagalli was targeted twice and had one catch for nine yards in Denver’s win over the Raiders.
• Lance Kendricks, TE (Chargers): Kendricks logged six special teams snaps in the Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs.
• Alex Erickson, WR (Bengals): The former walk-on had only one reception for 16 yards in Week 17. Erickson had the best season of his career in 2019, finishing with career-highs in receptions (43) and receiving yards (529).
• Beau Allen, DT (Buccaneers): The Buccaneers’ backup nose tackle missed his third straight game with an ankle injury.
• J.J. Watt, DE (Texans): Watt could return to the field this weekend for the Texans’ playoff game against the Bills.
• Joe Schobert, LB (Browns): Schobert played every defensive snap and finished with eight tackles, including one tackle for loss in Week 17.
• T.J. Watt, LB (Steelers): The Defensive Player of the Year front runner had another strong performance on Sunday. Watt forced a fumble for the third straight game and tacked on five tackles, two quarterback hits, and half a sack. In his third season, Watt has emerged as perhaps the most disruptive and dominant defensive player in the league.

• Vince Biegel, LB (Dolphins): After suffering an elbow injury last week, Biegel was inactive for Miami’s season finale. The third year pro led the Dolphins in tackles for loss (7) and quarterback hits (13) in 2019.

• Leon Jacobs, LB (Jaguars): Jacobs finished with four tackles in Jacksonville’s win over the Colts. The former seventh round pick appeared in 14 games and notched 36 tackles this season.

Rookies

• Michael Deiter, OG (Dolphins): The third round pick started his fifteenth game at left guard for the Dolphins in Week 17. Despite tons of playing time, Deiter was benched two weeks ago and has had his fair share of rookie struggles this season.
• Alec Ingold, FB (Raiders): Ingold played 20 total snaps (7 at fullback, 13 special teams) in the Raiders’ loss to the Broncos.
• David Edwards, OG (Rams): Edwards started his tenth straight game at right guard for the Rams. The fifth round pick has settled in nicely at guard and should be a part of the Rams’ plans going forward.
• T.J. Edwards, LB (Eagles): The undrafted rookie played a team-high 31 special teams snaps, while also logging six snaps at linebacker.
• Andrew Van Ginkel, LB (Dolphins): Van Ginkel started at outside linebacker in place of fellow Badger Vince Biegel and had the best game of his young career. He finished with seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit.