Week one of the NFL is always a new beginning. Players get traded. New coaches bring new schemes. A lot of variables come into play. This makes the first week one of the harder decisions on who to start or sit. We do not know if this year will be an up year or down year for said players. As of right now, anything is possible. Below I have a list of 5 IDP starts with 5 IDP sits for your week one rosters.
START
DL- Jonathan Allen (WSH) vs Arizona Cardinals (START)
I wanted to say Chase Young, but he has not been cleared for contact. Young will be intriguing to watch as season progresses. Assuming he plays. Allen has averaged over 60 tackles the last 5 seasons with 6.5 sacks. He will be the main disturbance coming off the right side. The Quarterback play in Arizona at the start of the season will be shaky due to Kyler Murray’s injury. Allen is a great pick to start the season off hot.
DL/LB- Zaven Collins (ARI) @ Washington Commanders (START)
The team traded away linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon sees similarities between Collins & stand out rusher Micah Parsons. If Gannon is able to deploy Collins similarly to Parsons, then he could be in for a big year. Collins will be a focal point in the team’s defense this year. Expect him to be used in multiple different packages all season long. He starts the year off against Sam Howell, a quarterback with tons of upside, but also one that could make easy mistakes early. Collins will bring pressure off the edge or drop back into coverage causing difficulty for Howell to find a target. He is a candidate to lead the team in sacks this season.
LB- Patrick Queen (BAL) vs Houston Texans (START)
Queen was the second-leading tackler on the team in 2022, but he appeared to be on a short leash after the Ravens drafted linebacker Trenton Simpson in the NFL rookie draft. But all indications are that Queen is prepared to step up to keep his job for 2023. The Texans might choose to run first under new Head Coach DeMeco Ryans. This will give Queen plenty of opportunity to make some plays this week.
DB- Juan Thornhill (CLE) vs Cincinnati Bengals (START)
Thornhill joins the Browns after winning a Super Bowl in KC. Burrow is banged up. Last season one of Thornhill’s best games was against the Bengals. He will look to add veteran leadership to the team. Thornhill also brings playmaking ability. He will be a nice compliment to Grant Delpit. Cornerback Denzel Ward may also be inactive assuming he does not clear concussion protocol by game time. Make sure Thornhill is active (calf) prior to finalizing your lineup.
DB- Harrison Smith (MIN) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (START)
Smith will be a dominant force once again. The Bucs are rolling with Baker Mayfield, a quarterback that has struggled throughout his career with simple mistakes. Smith has a high IQ for the game. Last year was his 3rd season bringing in 5 interceptions. It is possible he starts the turnovers early against Mayfield.
Sit
DL – Bradley Chubb (MIA) @ Los Angeles Chargers (SIT)
Chubb will take on All-Pro Tackle Rashawn Slater. Slater has only given up 6 sacks in his career when pass blocking. 28 pressures in his two-year career. This will be a tough play. Herbert is a quarterback that can get the ball out quickly. Expect a high scoring game. I do not see much pressure coming from Chubb when Slater is in front of him.
DE/LB – Matthew Judon (NE) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (SIT)
Judon will be a great play at other times during the season. He will battle All-Pro Tackle Lane Johnson. A tough match up. Even worst Quarterback Jalen Hurts has the awareness to escape the pocket to extend the play. Judon will succeed throughout the season. I think he is in for a rough start.
LB – Jordyn Brooks (SEA) vs. Los Angeles Rams (SIT)
Jordyn Brooks may see limited snaps in his return to action following ACL surgery in January. It’s surprising that he is ready so quickly, but I need to see Brooks playing at a high level before I put him back in my starting lineup over the other top linebackers. If Cooper Kupp misses week 1, the Rams may struggle to sustain drives as well.
LB – Brian Asamoah (MIN) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SIT)
Jordan Hicks should serve in the top linebacker role in week 1 and the second linebacker spot may not be an every-down role under new defensive coordinator, Brian Flores. In addition, when Asamoah missed time with a shoulder injury, rookie Ivan Pace showed that he deserves playing time. Don’t be surprised if all three linebackers see a rotation of playing time depending on the defensive scheme and matchups.
S Jeremy Chinn (CAR) vs. Atlanta Falcons (SIT)
In the preseason, Jeremy Chinn did not receive a full-time role and was limited to a slot role behind Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods. As a result, I am sitting Chinn until I see him with close to 100% snap share. It should also be noted that Atlanta does not run a lot of three wide receiver looks.
That is my week one start/sits for the IDP positions.
Thank you for reading. Follow me on X at @ThePPRShow for more! Peace & Love!
For additional IDP lineup advice, check out our Start/Sit Tool and our Week 1 IDP Rankings.