NFL Week 1 debuts I can't wait to see: Will Micah Parsons make Packers Super? The Travis Hunter plan

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There is nothing like the opening of the NFL regular season. After spending countless hours discussing and debating which offseason acquisitions will tilt the league’s balance of power, we finally get a chance to see how the chess moves play out in real action between the lines. Whether it is a hyped rookie playing his first game of record, a grizzled veteran hoping to rekindle his magic in a different uniform or a savvy coach directing a new group of players, individuals across the league are officially introducing themselves to a fresh set of fans.

After taking some time to survey the landscape for the most intriguing player and team matchups, here are 10 debuts I cannot wait to see in Week 1.

Sunday vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)

Despite being listed as a starting receiver and backup cornerback on the team’s first official depth chart, Hunter is slated to play significant snaps on each side of the ball. Jacksonville will primarily utilize him as a pass catcher, but the No. 2 overall pick also will play as a sub-package cover corner in “get off the field” situations (third down, red zone, two-minute drill and end of game). The Jaguars aim to tap into his unique talents as a two-way playmaker with excellent instincts, awareness and ball skills. Though Hunter’s snaps will need to be monitored to avoid fatigue from excessive wear and tear, the Heisman Trophy winner’s freakish abilities will make this a fascinating experiment to watch.

Sunday at New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)

If this is Rodgers’ last hurrah, the four-time MVP can go out with a bang by leading the Steelers on a deep playoff run. With DK Metcalf as the vertical threat in the offense, Rodgers can throw it over the top of squatting defenders or utilize the two-time Pro Bowler as a decoy to create opportunities for a collection of chain movers (Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson) to win on intermediate routes underneath umbrella coverage. As Rodgers becomes more comfortable directing Arthur Smith’s offense, the sparks could fly with the 21st-year veteran effectively managing a unit that is talented enough to win by utilizing an old-school model that has helped the Steelers put six Lombardis in the trophy case: Defense + Running game + Efficient quarterback play = Championship.

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