Here are the top 5 players to watch out for in the first week of the upcoming 2022-23 NFL season
We’re aboard the on-ramp to the 2022-23 NFL season as all 32 team are done and dusted with their training camps and preseason showdowns. As fans all around the globe are rubbing their hands with excitement, plethora of superstars are bound to step on the field once again to showcase their charisma of lifting the monumental Super Bowl silverware.
After the highly exciting 2021-22 season, fans have nothing but high hopes from the upcoming campaign. With each team having a set of 53 footballing stars in their roster, who among them would peak high in the inaugural week of the 2022-23 season? If that is your lookout as well, then this article is tailor-made for you as we list down the top 5 players to watch out in Week 1 of the new NFL season.
Top 5 players to look-out-for in Week 1 of the 2022-23 NFL bonanza
Allen Lazard (Packers vs Vikings)
If there is one player, on whom the Green Bay Packers are showing complete trust in – it is Allen Lazard. Undoubtedly being the most prestigious wide receiver for his team as they look to replace the production of now-Raiders receiver Devante Adams, Lazard needs to step up on the center stage to produce some big numbers, starting in the season opener against Minnesota Vikings.
In the recently concluded season, Lazard caught 40 passes for 500+ yards with 8 significantly important TouchDowns. Moreover, with the likes of Samouri Toure, Amari Rodgers, Randall Cobb all on the 53-man roster, Lazard needs to break out from his shell as early as he can provide the much-required winning start to the Packers. On another note, the #1 WR of the Packers did not practice on the field last week as was ‘stepped on’. Hopefully, we get to see him in action as the NFL bonanza unravels for them on Monday.
Travis Kelce (Chiefs vs Chargers)
After the departure of Tyreek Hill, not many would argue that Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are the most important pieces for Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022-23 season. While Patrick Mahomes has to bounce back in his own manner after a depleted 2021-22 season, all eyes will be on how Kelce runs this team’s offence, now when he has the desired opportunity.
Travis Kelce is no ordinary talent and stands third in career playoff receptions and touchdowns. Moreover, unlike his spoken off teammate, Kelce is on the backs of a career-best season with 106 receptions, 1,291 yards and 12 TouchDowns. Given that this 32-year-old player is insight of breaking numerous other records as well, his flight and catching ability could change the course of Chiefs’ run in its respective division.
Kirk Cousins (Vikings vs Bears)
YES! Michael Irvin’s bold MVP pick – Kirk Cousins makes it into the prestigious list as his team is going to lock horns in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. It may be hard for Cousins to fight against the top-dogs for the MVP accolade, yet it is not an impossible outcome.
Many would not be aware but Kirk Cousins was ranked fourth in the NFL last season in passer rating with a tally of 103.1. Furthermore, he also recorded the second-best ratio of TouchDowns (33), along with 7 interceptions, trailing only behind Aaron Rodgers. Not only that, with the Vikings acquiring a new offensive coach, it is being assumed that the attacking strategies are going to be run around Kirk Cousins.
Well, if Cousins does manage to produce his best, one never knows if Michael Irvin’s bold prediction might actually come true to everyone’s dismay.
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars vs Commanders)
The vast majority of NFL fans feel that this 2022-23 NFL season could be the year of outburst for Trevor Lawrence, as he might finish as a top-10 Quarterback. Being the #1 overall pick in the draft a year ago, Lawrence looked anything but a generational talent in his very first season with the Jacksonville Jaguar.
To talk about his stats from the previous season, Lawrence was sacked 32 times, he threw more interceptions (17) and TouchDowns (12) and registered a passer rating of 71.9. However, as we enter the new season, Trevor can be seen as a much-more mature and calmer QB. Especially with new boss, Doug Pederson bringing wealth of Super Bowl experience, we might just see the rise of Trevor Lawrence from the word-GO!
Jalen Hurts (Eagles vs Lions)
Jalen Hurts started the previous NFL season with a bang, collecting more than 26 points for all his Fantasy fans. Just when, he entered his slump in the remaining 9 games, which he was a part off. Hurts went from 34.6 pass attempts/game and a 4.1% TD rate to 23.8% pass attempt/game and 3.2% TD rate.
Well, skipping forward several months, Jalen Hurts has emerged as an improved passer, glowing every time he steps on the field. Having shown his ability to read defenses and handle pressure against the big men, will we witness his following the same trajectory in the season opener against the depleted Detroit Lions? Remains to be seen.
