5 NFL Players Who Could Get Benched in Week 1

NFL players have been fighting all summer long to earn a starting role. Yet, just because they may have secured a spot with the first-string group, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll keep it all season long. In fact, some players may be working with a short leash. So short that they could get benched quickly with a bad performance. Here are five NFL players who could get benched based on their efforts in Week 1 alone. Related: 1 NFL Player From Each Team Who Will Disappoint in Week 1 Devontez Walker Third-round rookie Ja'Kobi Lane is generating rave reviews, even from Lamar Jackson, who compared the new Baltimore Ravens receiver to a pair of All-Pro players. For now, Tez Walker is primed for a starting role along with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, but he's recorded just 157 yards since arriving as a fourth-round pick two seasons ago. In other words, if Lane can show that he belongs early on, chances are Walker will be the one who gets a quick hook. Related: 1 Bold Prediction for Each Game in NFL Week 1, Including Super Bowl LX Rematch Deshaun Watson It seems like Deshaun Watson barely edged out Shedeur Sanders for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback job, and the former Pro Bowler may not be working with a long leash. If Watson gets off to a drastically ugly start such as a couple of early turnovers while struggling to move the chains, then no one should be surprised if first-year head coach Todd Monken turns to Sanders instead. Related: 5 Most Overrated NFL Players Headed Into Week 1 Mason Taylor While Mason Taylor was fairly effective for a second-round rookie, now the New York Jets have invested an even higher pick in his backup, Kenyon Sadiq. The Jets may like Taylor's potential, but clearly they have even higher hopes for Sadiq. If the 21-year-old Sadiq shows that the NFL isn't too much of an adjustment for him, then it may not be long until the Jets flip their TE1 and TE2 around. Either way, they'll both get a lot of playing time, so it's not like Taylor would be 'benched' per se. Related: 5 NFL Teams That Will Let Fan Bases Down in Week 1 Donovan Ezeiruaku No team overhauled their defense as much as the Dallas Cowboys did this offseason. For now, they're set to roll with 2025 second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku as one of their starting edge-rushers, but after making Malachi Lawrence a first-round pick in April, his starting job may not be all that secure. If Lawrence can generate some early pressures or even a sack, the Cowboys may begin giving more opportunities to their first-round rookie instead. Related: 6 Dallas Cowboys Trade Targets After NFL Rumors Emerge Tua Tagovailoa No one dragged their feet more than the Atlanta Falcons did when it came to anointing their starting QB. That's an indication that two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski doesn't have complete confidence in former Pro Bowl QB Tua Tagovailoa. Yet, Michael Penix Jr. reportedly doesn't believe he's ready to play quite yet. Still, if Tagovailoa's Falcons debut goes horribly, it shouldn't shock anyone if Penix is suddenly ready to start in Week 2. Related: 2026 NFL QB Rankings: Best, Worst Starting QBs Before Week 1 Read more at Sportsnaut