With The First Pick
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NFL Week 1: Rookies that will have a Strong Start

By Jon Dove

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during a timeout on the field during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Buccaneers, 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during a timeout on the field during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Buccaneers, 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Look for several rookies to get off to a strong start during their NFL Week 1 matchup.

There are a lot of fans anxiously awaiting the start of the NFL season and the chance to see their favorite team’s new additions take the field. This includes high-profile rookies that are being asked to make immediate contributions.

I’ve identified the top 3 rookies to have a big games during the 1st week of the NFL season. These players make the listed based on their talent, role on the team and the specific matchup they face.

The first player that jumps out is the Houston Texans Will Fuller. He has already shown flashes of his big-play potential during the preseason and is listed as a starter. This means he’s going

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to see plenty of action and one-on-one coverage thanks to the presence of DeAndre Hopkins.

Fuller and the Texans are taking on the Chicago Bears who have major question marks in the secondary. At one point, it looked like their 3 top options at cornerback would miss the game with injuries.

They are all expected to play but it’s safe to wonder about their effectiveness. It’s also important to note that the combination of Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter and Bryce Callahan isn’t a group expected to shut down the opponents passing attack.

It shocked a lot of people when the Philadelphia Eagles traded Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings, but I was more surprised to see that they named Carson Wentz the starter. Wentz only saw action in the 1st preseason game and has since been out with a rib injury.

Despite his lack of experience, Wentz is in a solid position to have a strong performance against the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland’s defense ranked 22nd against the pass last year by allowing 251 yards per game. It’s hard to expect a major turnaround with the most significant improvements they made coming through the draft.

The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of things going on within the organization which has led to somethings going unnoticed. DeForest Buckner’s strong preseason was one of those stories that flew under the radar.

Buckner is a highly talented player who has shown great development as a pro. He’s going to have a chance to wreak some havic against the Los Angeles Rams and their shaky offensive line.

He’ll be matched up against either Greg Robinson or Rob Havenstein who both have their share of weakness.

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