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THE HIGHEST NFL DRAFT PICK from Washington State since 2019, New England third rounder Kyle Williams, has been quiet in his rookie campaign. Through five games, the record-setting Coug has reeled in only two receptions for 20 yards, while chipping in a jet sweep that netted a two yard loss.
While Williams' snap count has been consistently low week-to-week, averaging 10 per contest, the quality of his snaps has steadily increased.
In week one, every rep came in the waning seconds of a game well out of reach. In weeks two and three, Williams began rotating in, and tallied his first meaningful reception, an eight-yard out route, in the third quarter against Pittsburgh.
But these past two games, a bevy of designed plays have gone in Williams direction, including a dirted screen pass against Buffalo on Sunday Night Football, an open go-route against Carolina that QB Drake Maye was ready to launch before taking a sack, and the aforementioned jet sweep that was doomed from the jump.
"[Williams] play speed has really become more consistent," Patriots receiver coach Todd Downing said last week during his media availability "And I think he's using really good stride lengths, and running his routes at the right depths … and confidence in his hands, catching the ball away from his body."
Williams as a senior finished second in WSU single-season history with 14 receiving touchdowns, and fourth all-time with 1,198 receiving yards.
It's worth noting that pushing Williams in spirited competition is a Monroe High product in undrafted rookie Efton Chism, who prepped under the tutelage of Michael Bumpus. Chism consistently communicated with WSU during his recruiting process, but would end up playing his college ball 65 miles north of Pullman in Cheney at Eastern.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS safety Jaden Hicks followed up his career performance against Baltimore last week with several "can't-miss" plays on Monday Night Football against Jacksonville.
Hicks' signature moment came in the second quarter on third-and-goal from the three yard-line, when he fully laid out Superman-style to stop Trevor Lawrence from scoring at the pylon, knocking him out at the half-yard line. On the ensuing fourth-and-goal, Lawrence fumbled on the quarterback sneak, leading to a Chiefs takeaway.
Alas, Hicks' secondary mate Jaylen Watson was on the hot seat after Kansas City would ultimately lose on the game's final scoring drive. Watson was burned twice by Lawrence on back-to-back plays in the final two minutes, the first time on a 33-yard completion to Brian Thomas Jr., and then on a 13-yard out route to Dyami Brown. Lawrence sealed the Jags victory with a one-yard touchdown run, pulling ahead for good 31-28.
AT 31 YEARS OLD, Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale might well have taken his last snaps as an every down starter. But as a rotational piece? The former Cougar DT is now thriving in this new role as a pass-rushing specialist for Mike Tomlin's defense.
Primarily taking snaps on third down, Ekuale has generated a quarterback hurry at a 9.3 percent clip this fall, a phenomenal rate from the interior. For context, last season as a full time starter for the Patriots, Ekuale's hurry rate was just under .01 percent.
During the Steelers bye week, Tomlin plainly stated why Ekuale has been seeing an increased snap share.
"We weren't getting off on third downs, we ended up playing a lot of snaps," Tomlin told reporters. "If we're getting off on third downs, there may be less snaps, and you may be asking why we're not playing [Ekuale]."
By the time Pittsburgh takes the field next Sunday against division rival Cleveland, Ekuale will have had a full two weeks of rest — the seven-year vet should be chomping at the bit to get after rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
NFL COUGAR NUGGETS:
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson checked in with five tackles in Arizona's shocking 22-21 loss to ex-Coug Cameron Ward and the Tennessee Titans. It's the first NFL victory for Ward, who finished his day 21-of-39 for with 265 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.
Although Frankie Luvu's Washington Commanders did beat the Chargers 27-10, Luvu struggled on the afternoon with just two tackles, and allowing five receptions according to Pro Football Focus (tops on his team).
Chargers defensive captain Daiyan Henley did not do much of his own on the opposite side, tallying only four tackles, and giving up six receptions according to PFF (also tops on his team).
Raiders linebacker Brennan Jackson was placed on IR due to a foot injury, which will sideline the second-year pro for at least the next four weeks. Prior to the injury, Jackson was carving out a nice role on special teams, totaling three tackles through three games.
Panthers nickel Chau Smith-Wade missed his first game of the season with a chest injury. The 5-11, 176-pounder had his breakout moment a couple weeks ago with a pick six on former Husky QB Michael Penix.
Related: Rogers eyes 'the pinnacle of the sport’ as Cougs gear up for No. 4 Ole Miss showdown
Kyle Williams (Photo: USAToday/Rutherford)