How have former area standouts fared in the end of regular season?

Jan. 9—The NFL’s regular season has come and gone, and a majority of former area standouts’ hope to hoist the Lombardi Trophy have been dashed.

Postseason runs have been made possible by a number of locals. Here’s where they stand with their eliminated peers after Week 18.

—Jaylen Watson (Washington State), Kansas City: Watson broke through the Chiefs’ depleted secondary early into the season, returning his first career interception for a game-winning touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2.

Watson participated in every game, except for one, for the AFC-leading Chiefs (14.3-3), and recorded 49 tackles, 11/2 plays for loss, and six passes defensed.

—Gardner Minshew (WSU), Philadelphia: Minshew returned to the bench in Week 18, with Jalen Hurts back from injury.

Hurts led the Eagles (13-2) to a win of 22-16 over the New York Giants. This victory secured the NFC’s top-seed.

Minshew played in Hurts’ absence and lost both games to New Orleans and Dallas. He completed 44 of 76 attempts this season for 663 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. At the end of the season, the 27-year old will be unrestricted and free agents.

—Samson Ebukam (Eastern Washington), San Francisco: Ebukam has had a diminishing role on the NFL’s leading defense in both yards and points allowed.

After winning their 10 previous games, the 49ers won the NFC’s second seed.

After earning 31/2 in his first five games, Ebukam looked poised to surpass his career-high of 41/2 sacks. He missed two games due to nagging injuries that slowed his production.

Ebukam returned to the lineup in Week 18 against the Arizona Cardinals and had one assisted tackle — a half sack that set a new career high at five for the season.

—River Cracraft (WSU), Miami: Cracraft didn’t play much for the Dolphins, but saw action for the first time in over a month on Sunday, catching one pass for 5 yards in a playoff-clinching win over the New York Jets.

The win over the Jets ended a six game losing streak for the Dolphins (9-8), and the team clinched the playoffs in 2016 for the first-time since 2016.

Cracraft’s regular season ends with career highs in receiving yards (102), receiving receptions (9) and receiving touchdowns (2).

—Taiwan Jones (EWU), Buffalo: Jones has done just about everything you can do on a football field in his 11 years in the NFL, except win the Super Bowl.

Jones, who has played both sides of the ball throughout his career, is reserved for special teams in Buffalo, where, the past two years, he has served the role of team captain.

The Bills won 13-3 against the Patriots to secure the second seed in the AFC. Jones has had four tackles and one kick return for 2 yards this year.

—Abraham Lucas (WSU), Seattle: Lucas and fellow rookie offensive tackle Charles Cross looked like seasoned pros for most of their first season in Seattle.

Lucas played 16 games with the Seahawks (9-8), which exceeded low expectations and had efficient run blocking. This was good for seventh place in the NFL at 8.8 yards per carry.

—Cooper Kupp (EWU), L.A. Rams: Kupp played just nine games before heading to the injured reserve, one of many reasons the Rams (5-12) finished with the worst record of defending Super Bowl champions.

Kupp caught 75 passes, totaling 812 yards and six touchdowns in less than half of a season. Kupp also ran nine times for 52 yards and one touchdown.

—Kendrick Bourne (EWU), New England: The Patriots missed the playoffs for just the fifth time since 2000, after losing to the Bills on Sunday.

After achieving career highs in receiving, touchdowns, and yards in 2021, Bourne was not in the Patriots’ favor. He was able to finish with 31 receptions and 389 yards.

Bourne has a contract with New England until 2023. He is expected to make $5.5 million if he stays on the roster for next season.

—Frankie Luvu (WSU), Carolina: Luvu was a force on the Panthers defense, finishing second on the team with 105 tackles in 15 games and second in sacks with seven.

Luvu was able to match a team record with 17 tackles for losses and he also caught his first interception. He returned it for a touchdown. He will earn $4 million and finish his two-year deal with the Panthers in 2023. But, it is not surprising that he could be extended in the offseason.

Al Holcomb, Panthers’ defensive coordinator, stated last week that Frankie Luvu “has had a hell of a year.” He did miss a few games, but it was his perseverance and his speed that made the difference.”

—Jalen Thompson (WSU), Arizona: There are a lot of reasons for the Cardinals’ (4-13) struggles. Thompson isn’t one.

In his fourth season in Arizona, Thompson recorded 102 tackles and one interception. He also defended eight passes. Budda Baker, a fellow safety, had more tackles for Cardinals defense. Last offseason, Thompson signed a $36 million three-year contract.

—Kaden Elliss (Idaho), New Orleans: Elliss played all 17 games for the Saints, achieving career bests for tackles (76), sacks (7) and forced fumbles (2). The 28-year old is eligible for free agency