Bama In the NFL: Week One Outlook

The Tide is no stranger to getting their players to the big leagues. With 57 former athletes active on rosters this season, there are plenty of exciting players to keep an eye on. Starting with the biggest and most notable players/teams from each game this week, here are the games and players to watch.

Games/Players to Watch:

Packers vs. Eagles (Fri. 7:15): 

Josh Jacobs (Packers) - new team new opportunities, and with AJ Dillon out for the year expect big things for Josh. The Eagles have a good defense however so he may start the year slow, but don't be surprised if he doesn't.

Devonte Smith (Eagles) - Smitty is primed for a big year with the Eagles, catching passes from Jalen Hurts is a plus too. Being the #2 WR behind AJ Brown, who will get most of the coverage attraction, Smitty is there to feast.

Jalen Hurts (Eagles) - Looking to bounce back from a somewhat disappointing season, Hurts is looking to make a statement this season to supplant himself as a top-tier elite quarterback, with a workable schedule and the offensive weapons around, let's see if he can start right.

Other notable players featured in this game:

Eli Ricks (DB) - Eagles

Landon Dickerson (OL) - Eagles

Xavier McKinney (DB) - Packers

Vikings vs. Giants (Sun. Noon):

Dallas Turner (Vikings) - Looking to get his first potential first start in his first career game. Coming in as the 17th overall pick, he is expected to make a huge impact early. Look for him to blow up a couple of plays this weekend.

Will Reichard (Vikings) - The all-time leading scorer in NCAA football history is now with the Vikings. Looking to make a name for himself on the highest stage, look for Will to nail his shots right through the uprights.

Evan Neal (Giants) - He will most likely be blocking Dallas to some degree so look for some Tide-on-Tide violence in the trenches for this game.

Panthers vs. Saints (Sun. Noon): 

Bryce Young (Panthers) - After an okay average rookie season Bryce looks to take the next step in his career under a new system with new head coach Dave Canales. With new skill position additions look for this offense, led by Young, to look, feel different, and perform better than last season.

Kool-Aid Mckinstry (Saints) - The rookie makes his debut with the Saints this Sunday. With a pretty loaded defense, look for Kool-Aid to play on a role-to-role basis, playing well enough to earn a consistent spot in the lineup.

Other notable features in this game:

A'Shwan Robinson (DE) - Panthers

La'Bryan Ray (DE) - Panthers

Ravens vs. Chiefs (Thu. 7:20): 

Derrick Henry (Ravens) - A new home team for Derrick this season, and a team that loves running the ball no less. Look for Derrick to continue his run (no pun intended) as being one of the best hard-nose rushers in the game. Behind one of the best offensive lines in the league with no clear threat to take away a lot of carries, watch him feast.

Marlon Humphrey (Ravens) - One of the main leaders on this defense, look for Marlon to make huge impacts in the defensive backfield.

Other featured players in this game:

Eddie Jackson (FS) - Ravens

Falcons vs. Steelers (Sun. Noon):

Jase McClellan (Falcons) - picked in the sixth round of this past draft class, Jase made the final roster and will serve as the third back in the Atlanta backfield. With limited reps, he will not be a big player this year, but don't count him out once he gets the chance.

Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers) - One of the best safeties in the league looks to lead this defense to another great year. The Steelers are starting over on offense but defensively are still as strong as ever and that is in large part due to Minkah, so look for him to be the glue on this defense.

Najee Harris (Steelers) - Najee is still trying to cement himself in the league as a feature back. With rocky seasons behind him, he looks to a new offensive coordinator this season that will get him the carries he needs, what he does with them we shall see.

Patriots vs. Bengals (Sun. Noon):

Anfernee Jennings (Patriots) - Look for him on this defense to make some plays, this defense will likely be the best unit of this team so plenty of time to shine for Jennings.

Jordan Battle (Bengals) - Battle is primed for battle this season. With one year in the league under his belt and this defense needing help at safety, look for Jordan to play a lot of meaningful snaps this week and season.

Jermaine Burton (Bengals) -  With the lingering receiver issues for the Bengals, it's not hard to see why they picked Jermaine in this past draft cycle. Looking to get some decent playing time and take on that role of WR3 in this offense, Jermaine could see more volume than originally planned; especially with injuries or holdouts with Higgins and Chase. Keep your eye on Burton, he may shock you down the stretch of the season and this week.

Texans vs. Colts (Sun. Noon): 

Will Anderson jr (Texans) - Being the most double-teamed defensive edge in the league last year, in his rookie season too, Anderson is clearly the game changer he was projected to be. This season for the Texans is a big one with big hopes and Will is part of the reason that that is. Look for a big year out of him.

John Metchie III (Texans) - John is looking to get a chance, many teams are interested in him on the trade market so he could see a new home soon. That may be a good thing for him in this loaded receiver room. With so many established options, he will be fighting for snaps, but with those snaps expect big things.

Christian Harris (Texans) - Starting the season injured, unsure when their return to play will be.

Other notable players featured in this game:

Raekwon Davis (DT) - Colts

Ryan Kelly (C) - Colts

Cardinals vs. Bills ( Sun. Noon):

The players featured in this game are lower on the depth chart but here are the names to watch...

Jonah Williams (OL) - Cardinals

Mack Wilson Sr. (ILB) - Cardinals

Kareem Jackson (S) - Bills  - Kareem is in an interesting spot as the Bills need the defensive help so watch for Kareem to possibly emerge as a major role player for their defense. At least adding needed depth.

Titans vs. Bears (Sun. Noon): 

Calvin Ridley (Titans) - Signed this offseason to the Titans, Calvin is poised for another big year and to be their WR1. Look for big plays and touchdowns from him here. The Bears have a stingy defense but it's nothing he can't handle.

JC Latham (Titans) - Look for him to be a staple of this o-line that can help this team get their run game off the ground through Tony Pollard.

Jaguars vs. Dolphins (Sun. Noon):

Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) - New deal new year. It's go time for Tua. With plenty of talent around him and a college teammate to rely on, expect big things from him this year. Look for Tua to take the Dolphins to the next level this year by getting and winning in the playoffs. Week one is a tough test so watch to see how he handles this matchup, don't be surprised if he balls.

Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins) - New deal new year. New contract for Jaylen this offseason that makes him one of the highest-paid wide outs in the league. With a price tag like that, touchdowns come. Look for Waddle to continue to thrive and benefit from lax coverage, continuing his dominance at the position.

Other notable players featured in this game:

Lester Cotton (OL) - Dolphins

Da'Shawn Hand (DT) - Dolphins

Mac Jones (QB) - Jaguars - New team new start? He's behind Trevor Lawerence now so do not expect much play.

Cam Robinson (OL) - Jaguars

Broncos vs. Seahawks (Sun. 3:05): 

Pat Surtain II (Broncos) - Now regarded as one of the best Corners in the league, nothing should change this season. Look for big breakups and big plays from Pat this season.

Levi Wallace (Broncos) - Another Corner from Bama on this roster that will line up across the field from Pat. Expect big things from Wallace, he's learning from the best.

Other notable players featured in this game:

Jarran Reed (NT) - Seahawks

Raiders vs. Chargers (Sun. 3:05): 

Justin Eboigbe (Chargers) - Entering his rookie year, expect limited playing time with a possible snap increase throughout the season.

Bradley Bozeman (Chargers) - Still playing hard-nose football. Expect steady and consistent play under a new coach and new offense.

Cowboys vs. Browns (Sun. 3:25):

Trevon Diggs (Cowboys) -  coming back from injury this season, expect a possible slow start or limited play at first, but after that have no doubt Diggs is Diggs, he'll be the dog for this defense once again.

Amari Cooper (Browns) - He is still the main force on this offense, especially with the limited backfield the Browns will start the year with. More big numbers this year aiming to be more consistent with a stable and capable qb.

Jerry Jeudy (Browns) - This is a new team for Jeudy and one that he should see a lot more action in. It is yet to be seen how big of a role he will have in this offense but if Amari is getting most of the attention from the defense, expect Jerry to be there to take the reigns.

Other notable players featured in this game:

Expect meaningful snaps for these two as well, lots of opportunities for them.

Dalvin Tomlinson (DT) - Browns

Jedrick Wills jr (OL) - Browns

Commanders vs. Buccaneers (Sun. 3:25): 

Chris Braswell (Bucs) - Looking to be a leader on this defense, expect a lot of play and a lot of disruption. Great player on a good defense with a team looking to go places.

Jonathan Allen (Commanders) - The veteran leader and staple for this defense. He's been around and seen everything. Expect his normal destructive playmaking to continue.

Daron Payne (Commanders) - Another veteran on this defense. Expect the same explosiveness as always, watch him get to that backfield.

Brian Robinson jr. (Commanders) - Now the feature back for this offense, expect more carries this season and more production from him on the ground. He was one of the leaders in reception yards last season for backs so watch to see what he does this season with his catches.

Other notable players featured in this game:

Phidarian Mathis (DT) - Commanders

Rams vs. Lions (Sun. 7:20):

Terrion Arnold (Lions) - The first-round rookie makes his debut this Sunday, aiming to make a splash on this defense. The training camp buzz around Arnold suggests that he may see more playing time and meaningful snaps than originally thought, so keep an eye out for Terrion.

Brian Branch (Lions) - One of the youngest staples on this defense who played significant time for this defense as a rookie last year, watch him do the same this year, and do it well.

Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) -  Coming into his second season, he is now the main feature for this offense. Gibbs is primed to have one of the best seasons of his career and for any back this season. Touchdown machine. Watch.

Jameson Williams (Lions) - Missing his first season to injury, and a large portion of last season due to suspension, this season is shaping up to be his breakout year. Don't be surprised if he makes himself a main threat on this offense. If the training camp buzz is real, expect to see a lot more of J-Mo this season.

Jets vs. 49'ers (Mon. 7:15): 

Quinnen Williams (Jets) - Now considered a veteran player, look for him to continue being dominant on the defensive front. A staple for this defense for sure.

CJ Mosley (Jets) - A true veteran for this defense adding much experience to this linebacking core, expect another consistent season from CJ.

That's the lineup of the NFL's week one slate with the prime Bama players to watch. Plenty of exciting action to watch with explosive players on every team; so tune in to watch alumni tide players ball this weekend.