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A two-year starter, Amichia helped the Bulls rush for a team record 47 touchdowns as a senior while being recognized as a first-team American Athletic Conference selection. He ran a 4.99 forty at his Pro Day while putting up 32 reps on the bench press. A left tackle by trade, the 6'4, 297-pound Amichia will probably switch to guard at some point.

In the first season of a surprisingly lucrative three-year contract, 28-year-old Schultz slumped to five-year lows in receptions (53), yards (532) and touchdowns (two). This, despite the fact that Stefon Diggs never really got going before his ACL injury and Nico Collins spent time on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. Tank Dell was also lost in Week 16 to a knee issue. Schultz is a classic catch-and-fall specialist who long ago maxed out his talent, so it’s not like he has another level to ascend to. That being said, he probably ran unreasonably cold this year, and catching 50 balls five straight seasons is no small feat for a seam stretcher. Schultz will keep hanging around the TE1 periphery in 2025.

Pierce was held without a catch on one target. An impressive 2022 rookie who badly regressed as a sophomore, Pierce never threatened trade acquisition Joe Mixon’s 2024 touch domination. He had an opportunity when Mixon missed Weeks 3-5 with an ankle injury, but Pierce was sidelined with a hamstring issue of his own. Pierce caught two balls all season, and failed to reach 10 touches in a contest until the resting Texans’ exhibition-style Week 18 win over the Titans. That’s where Pierce generated 60 percent of his 2024 rushing gains thanks to a 92-yard house call. Although Pierce is signed cheaply for 2025, we wouldn’t assume he merely finishes out his rookie deal as the unquestioned No. 2.

A survivor of multiple hip-drop tackles, 28-year-old trade acquisition Mixon crossed the 1,000-yard rushing threshold for the fifth time despite missing Weeks 3-5 with an ankle injury. Somewhat surprisingly the engine of the Texans’ offense all season, Mixon stacked up ridiculous workloads as slumping sophomore QB C.J. Stroud and OC Bobby Slowik tried to figure out what to do with each other. As always, Mixon was not efficient — he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and was middle of the pack in rush yards over expected — but he was tough and productive. He always got what was blocked. Guaranteed $4 million for 2025, Mixon will be back as the Texans’ lead back, though they could look to upgrade Dameon Pierce in the No. 2 spot.

As was the case all season long, Collins was a rare Texan who was never part of the problem on Saturday. Of course, it was a big problem when Collins missed Weeks 6-10 with a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old now has a concerning history of lower-body muscle issues. Then again, not even that could stop him from surpassing 1,000 yards in only 12 games played. Collins confirmed his 2023 was every bit a genuine breakout and the furthest thing from a fluke. A 6-foot-4 sideline dominator in an era of tiny YAC merchants, Collins can also do major damage over the middle of the field. He is unquestionably one of the league’s 4-5 best wideouts. Now he just needs to figure out how to keep his leg muscles healthy.

As was the case for most of the stretch run, Stroud was besieged and confused behind the Texans’ battered line, taking a ridiculous eight sacks for a ruinous 58 yards. The reigning offensive rookie of the year, Stroud started slow this season and never really heated up. After posting a 7:3 TD:INT total across his first five starts, that ratio fell to 13:9 over his final 12 appearances. He never reached 300 yards after October 6, watching his rookie touchdown rate fall as his interception and sack percentages climbed. Shaky under pressure after handling the blitz well as a rookie, Stroud also struggled to hit big plays. Injuries to Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs played a part, but Stroud collapsed down field. After challenging for the league lead with 66 20-plus yard completions in 2023, Stroud saw that number fall to 42 in 2024. That was despite making two more starts. As was the case his rookie year, Stroud often felt held back by OC Bobby Slowik’s play-calling, but it’s difficult for an outsider to know just how much of that was a coordinator protecting his quarterback. All of this, of course, buries the lede that this is still a young QB who has now piloted at least one playoff victory each of his first two seasons. Stroud did not collapse as a sophomore. He just needs to rediscover his momentum heading into 2025.

A helpless observer to the Jets’ slow-burn 2024 fiasco after they scapegoated Robert Saleh, Ulbrich is short on actual coordinating experience, but he profiles as a trusted lieutenant for Raheem Morris. Ulbrich worked alongside Morris for five years in Atlanta under Dan Quinn. He’s a stabilizing hire, not someone who is being brought in to shake things up. We assume Morris will mostly function as his own boss.

And with that, the Chiefs have now made the AFC title tilt all seven years Patrick Mahomes has been starter. Stupefying. As was the case all season, it wasn’t necessarily a “convincing” win. It was also never really in doubt. Regardless of who wins Baltimore/Buffalo’s heavyweight fight Sunday, the talk all week will focus on the Chiefs’ supposed vulnerability. It’s just that, the next time we see it this season will be the first. Giddy up for what should be another classic.

Hooker began the year as the Lions’ No. 2, but was easily jumped by late-season free agent addition Teddy Bridgewater. Already 27 years old, Hendon’s NFL future is looking more theoretical than actual.

Claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Dec. 11, Osborn has been active only one time as a Commander. It’s a poor sign for the 27-year-old’s NFL future he can’t break into this limited receiver group.

No real surprises here after the Chiefs emerged from their playoff bye mostly healthy. Kansas City starts its hunt for a three-peat at home against the Texans in the Divisional Round.