Duke in the NFL: Weeks 13-15

With the NFL season winding down, we take a look at which former Blue Devils are making the most of their time on the gridiron around the league. 

Jamison Crowder, WR—Crowder continues to have a solid rookie season for the Redskins, but has seen his playing time and production decrease with the return of star receiver Desean Jackson, who is back from an early-season injury. Crowder has caught seven passes for 63 yards in the past three weeks, helping Washington win two of its last three and rise to the top of the division standings. But in Sunday’s win against Buffalo, Crowder—who has been returning punts for the Redskins all season— made a potentially costly mistake and muffed a punt in the second quarter. The Redskins were up 21-0 at the time and the Bills were unable to score on the ensuing drive. Despite Crowder’s mistake, head coach Jay Gruden told reporters that Crowder will remain the team’s number-one option at punt returner. The win was Washington’s seventh of the season and the team can ensure a playoff berth with a victory against the Eagles Saturday.  

Vincent Rey, LB—After starting the first six games of the season, Rey’s production has decreased, but the former Blue Devil remains a key part of a Cincinnati defense that is giving up an NFL-lowest 17.4 points per game this season. Rey did not record any statistics this past week against San Francisco, but had five tackles in a 37-3 Week 13 win against Cleveland and five tackles in 33-20 loss to Pittsburgh two weeks ago. Heading into Week 16, Rey has tallied a team-high 93 tackles this season and will continue to see the field as the Bengals march into the playoffs.

Cooper Helfet, TE—Helfet has had his most productive games of the season during the past three weeks, hauling in four passes from quarterback Russell Wilson for 38 yards in three Seahawks victories from Weeks 13-15. Helfet should continue to see ample playing time behind starter Luke Wilson, as fellow tight ends Anthony McCoy and Chase Coffman are battling injuries late in the season and starter Jimmy Graham is out for the remainder of the season with a season-ending knee injury

Juwan Thompson, RB—Thompson continues to make the most of his playing time behind C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman in Denver. On Dec. 6 he carried the ball eight times for 27 yards, while hauling in a pass for 14 yards in a 17-3 win at San Diego. He followed that performance with a subpar rushing performance with five carries for just eight yards in a 15-12 loss to Oakland, but was crucial in the passing game, catching four passes for 21 yards. The running back could see more playing time during the last two weeks of the season, as the Broncos are searching for answers at the position to take the pressure off of young quarterback Brock Osweiler. If Thompson can outperform Hillman in this area, he could move up the depth chart and see more reps behind Anderson.

Ross Cockrell, CB—Cockrell continues to be one of the top options for the Steelers at cornerback late in the season, starting two of the last three games during the team’s three-game win streak that has Pittsburgh poised to seize an AFC wild card spot in the playoffs. This past week against Denver, Cockrell struggled to cover one of the Broncos' top receivers, Emmanuel Sanders, in a 34-27 win at Heinz Field. The cornerback did help the Pittsburgh secondary force Osweiler into a fourth quarter interception that led to the go-ahead score for the Steelers, who rallied back from a two-touchdown deficit. After the game, Cockrell and his former teammate Juwan Thompson posed for a photo for old-times sake.

Two of Duke Football's finest!!! We're proud of you Ross and Juwan!! pic.twitter.com/QyVzJOm40G

— David Cutcliffe (@DavidCutcliffe) December 21, 2015