Undrafted Rookie Esa Pole Stands Tall Against NFL’s Top Pass Rush
Against the teeth of the NFL’s most ferocious pass rush, Kansas City left tackle Esa Pole didn’t blink. The undrafted rookie out of Washington State was thrown into the fire on Christmas Day against a Denver front that’s made a habit of terrorizing quarterbacks-and he held his own, allowing zero sacks in a gritty 20-13 loss at Arrowhead.
And while the scoreboard favored the Broncos, Pole’s performance was a major reason the Chiefs were still swinging in the fourth quarter.
Pole, listed at 6-foot-7 and 319 pounds, graded out as the top offensive lineman for Kansas City according to Pro Football Focus, earning a 66.1 game grade. That’s no small feat considering the circumstances. He’s now started four straight games at left tackle, a position that’s seen its top two options go down with season-ending injuries in back-to-back weeks.
For a guy who was cut twice this season-first by the Chiefs in the preseason, then by the Jets in October-Pole has made one of the most unlikely late-season impacts in the league. He’s gone from practice squad hopeful to a reliable blindside protector, and maybe even a long-term answer for a team with championship aspirations.
Head coach Andy Reid has been a believer since training camp.
“Big guys are hard to find that can move like [Esa Pole] does,” Reid said after the team brought him back in October. “He had a decent training camp for us.
We liked him enough to bring him in the first time. We thought he had some talent there.
The more experience he gets, the better he’ll be.”
Pole will get another chance to prove himself this weekend when the Chiefs face the Raiders. With a playoff berth already locked up, it’s one more opportunity to show that his emergence isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s a real solution at one of the game’s most critical positions.
Patriots Rookie WR Kyle Williams Gets His Shot, But Still Learning the Ropes
With injuries sidelining both Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte, rookie wideout Kyle Williams saw his biggest workload of the season on Sunday-and the Patriots didn’t hold back. New England rolled into East Rutherford and dismantled the Jets 42-10, and Williams was on the field for 85 percent of the offensive snaps, a career high.
The increased usage translated to five targets, also a season best. But the final stat line? Three catches for 20 yards, and a drop that came at a tough time-ending what had been a perfect day for rookie quarterback Drake Maye up to that point.
That drop late in the first half might’ve cost the Patriots a first down, but it’s also part of the growing pains for a young receiver still finding his footing. Williams has flashed big-play potential all year-he came into the game averaging 20.9 yards per catch with three touchdowns on just 10 receptions-but consistency is the next step.
He’s shown he can stretch the field. Now it’s about becoming a down-to-down threat, especially when the volume increases.
The good news? He’s getting the reps to figure it out.
NFL Cougar Nuggets: Former Washington State Standouts Making Their Mark
- Abraham Lucas, Seattle’s right tackle, continued his strong push for Pro Bowl consideration in a 27-10 win over Carolina. Lucas helped pave the way for 163 rushing yards and two scores, earning a 68.5 PFF grade. The Seahawks now head into a massive Week 18 clash with the 49ers in Santa Clara-winner takes the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
- Frankie Luvu had seven tackles and a pass breakup on Christmas Day, but the Commanders couldn’t keep pace with the Cowboys, falling 30-23.
- Jaylen Watson, a key piece of the Chiefs secondary, was placed on season-ending IR with a groin injury. With free agency looming, it’s possible Watson has played his last snap in Kansas City.
- Jaden Hicks logged two tackles and played nearly half the defensive snaps for the Chiefs, continuing to carve out a rotational role.
- Daiyan Henley had his most productive day of the season for the Chargers, racking up 10 tackles in a narrow 20-16 loss to the Texans.
- Chau Smith-Wade, the Panthers’ nickel corner, played 53 percent of snaps and recorded two tackles in the loss to Seattle.
- Jalen Thompson returned from a hamstring injury to suit up for the Cardinals in their 37-14 loss to Cincinnati. With Budda Baker sidelined by a concussion, Thompson stepped up with four tackles in his first game back.
Notable Notes: Ward, Mauigoa Turning Heads
- Cameron Ward, now starting for the Titans, threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans, but also took four sacks in a 34-26 loss. It’s been a rollercoaster rookie season for Ward-his completion percentage sits at 59.6, and he’s been sacked a league-high 55 times. Still, his knack for improvisation has kept Tennessee fans hopeful that there’s something special brewing.
- Francisco Mauigoa, a 2025 fifth-round pick by the Jets, has become a steady contributor in his first NFL season. The former Washington State linebacker has started eight games and tallied 45 tackles, showing the kind of instincts and physicality that could make him a long-term piece in New York’s defensive plans.
From undrafted rookies holding down the fort to late-round picks making noise, Week 17 was a reminder that talent can come from anywhere-and that opportunity, more often than not, finds those who stay ready.