The Oregon Ducks have been a factory for NFL-ready talent in recent years, and Week 16 of the NFL season gave us another reminder of just how deep that pipeline runs. Under head coach Dan Lanning, Oregon has raised the bar-not just in the Pac-12 (and now beyond), but across the national landscape. The Ducks aren’t just dominating Saturdays; they’re making serious noise on Sundays, too.
From rising stars to seasoned pros, former Ducks are carving out meaningful roles across the league. Some are household names.
Others are quietly grinding their way into starting lineups and big moments. Let’s take a closer look at how Oregon alumni showed out in Week 16.
Deommodore Lenoir - CB, San Francisco 49ers
Stats: 3 tackles
Lenoir didn’t stuff the stat sheet on Monday night, but don’t let that fool you-his impact was felt in coverage. Tasked with shadowing Michael Pittman Jr., Lenoir locked down one of the Colts' top targets.
Philip Rivers had a productive outing overall, but Pittman was a non-factor, and a lot of that credit goes to Lenoir’s sticky coverage on the outside.
Brandon Dorlus - DL, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 1 tackle
It was a quiet game for Dorlus statistically, but the Falcons pulled out a crucial win over the Cardinals. Even when he’s not filling up the box score, Dorlus brings a level of physicality and gap discipline that helps set the tone up front for Atlanta’s defense.
Christian Gonzalez - CB, New England Patriots
Stats: 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Gonzalez continues to elevate his game, week after week. Already known for his elite coverage skills, he’s becoming a force in run support, too.
Seven tackles and a pass breakup don’t tell the full story-Gonzalez is developing into one of the most complete young corners in the league, and his ceiling keeps rising.
Justin Herbert - QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Stats: 23-of-29, 300 yards, 2 TDs; 8 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
Herbert snapped out of a slump in emphatic fashion, putting together one of his most efficient performances of the season. He was surgical through the air and dangerous on the ground, accounting for three total touchdowns and nearly 350 yards of offense.
When Herbert’s in rhythm like this, he reminds us why he’s one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the NFL.
Troy Dye - LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Stats: 3 tackles
Dye hasn’t looked quite like himself since returning from injury, and while he wasn’t a liability on Sunday, he also wasn’t the disruptive force we’ve seen in the past. If he can get back to full speed, he’ll be a key piece down the stretch for the Chargers’ defense.
Bo Nix - QB, Denver Broncos
Stats: 28-of-47, 352 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Nix continues to build on a strong second half of the season, setting a new career high in passing yards. He kept the Broncos in the game with a gutsy performance, even if it didn’t end in a win.
The poise, the arm talent, the ability to extend plays-Nix is starting to look like a long-term answer under center in Denver.
Troy Franklin - WR, Denver Broncos
Stats: 4 catches, 66 yards
Franklin is quietly turning into a go-to weapon in Denver’s offense. His route running is crisp, his hands are reliable, and he’s finding ways to get open consistently.
With performances like this, he’s making a strong case to be considered one of the Broncos’ top receiving options.
Penei Sewell - OT, Detroit Lions
Stats: 69 snaps
Sewell continues to play like a man among boys. He was flawless again this week, anchoring a Lions offensive line that’s quickly becoming one of the best in football.
Whether it’s pass protection or run blocking, Sewell is dominating his matchups and making it look easy.
Juwan Johnson - TE, New Orleans Saints
Stats: 8 catches, 89 yards
Johnson is putting together the best season of his career, and he added another strong performance to the ledger on Sunday. He’s now topped 700 receiving yards on the year-a testament to his consistency and growing chemistry with the Saints’ quarterbacks.
He’s become a reliable chain-mover and red-zone threat.
Terrance Ferguson - TE, Los Angeles Rams
Stats: 3 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD
Ferguson made the most of his chances this week, finding the end zone and flashing the kind of athleticism that made him a standout in college. With limited opportunities so far this season, this game could be a springboard for more involvement in the Rams’ offense.
Arik Armstead - DL, Jacksonville Jaguars
Stats: 2 tackles
After missing over a month, Armstead returned to action and shook off some rust. He wasn’t quite at his usual disruptive level, but his presence alone helps bolster a Jaguars front that’s looking to make a playoff push.
If he can get back to form, Jacksonville’s defense gets a major boost.
DeForest Buckner - DL, Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 5 tackles
It was a rough outing for the Colts' defense overall-they gave up 48 points-but Buckner still managed to stand out with five tackles. Even in tough games, Buckner’s motor and leadership show up.
He’s the kind of veteran presence teams lean on when things go sideways.
Jevon Holland - S, New York Giants
Stats: 7 tackles
Holland was flying around the field all day, making plays sideline to sideline. He nearly had a pick-six, too, but it was wiped out by a penalty.
Still, his instincts and closing speed were on full display, and he continues to be one of the most dynamic young safeties in the league.
Bucky Irving - RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stats: 19 carries, 71 yards
Irving got plenty of touches, but the efficiency still isn’t quite there. He’s shown flashes, but with just two games left in the regular season, it’s clear this hasn’t been the breakout year some expected.
That said, the talent is there-he just needs the right rhythm and opportunity to unlock it.
Final Takeaway:
Oregon’s NFL alumni didn’t just show up in Week 16-they made an impact.
Whether it’s Herbert lighting it up, Gonzalez locking it down, or Sewell dominating in the trenches, the Ducks’ presence across the league is undeniable. And with more talent coming down the pipeline, don’t expect that momentum to slow anytime soon.