3 Bengals players who need to thrive in Week 1 vs. Patriots

Every player wants to start the season off on the right foot, but doing so is more important for some players than others given their relatively precarious spot on the depth chart, or even the roster in general. With that said, here's a look at three Cincinnati Bengals players who absolutely need to thrive in the first game of the season against the New England Patriots.

In this instance, all three of these guys are Week 1 starters who have a teammate breathing down their neck on the depth chart. So, if they play poorly not only will it hurt the team, but it could also impact their starting status.

3 Bengals who need a good Week 1 performance

Dax Hill, Cornerback

In a somewhat surprising move, the Bengals named Dax Hill as a starter at the cornerback spot for Week 1. This is surprising considering the fact that Hill switched positions over the offseason and moved from safety -- where he started last season -- to corner. He beat out promising second-year cornerback D.J. Turner II in the process.

But, depth chart changes are written in pencil, not pen, and Hill will need to perform in his new role if he hopes to remain in a starting spot. New England isn't expected to have a lethal passing attack this year, so the first game of the season might not be the toughest test. So, if he struggles, that could be a concerning sign, especially with a Week 2 matchup with the defending-champion Chiefs looming.

Trent Brown, Offensive tackle

Trent Brown will begin the season as a starter on the offensive line, but rookie Amarius Mims is hot on his heels. Mims missed a chunk of training camp and preseason play due to a pectoral injury, so he fell out of contention for a starting spot in Week 1 kind of by default.

It remains to be seen just how much Mims will be available to play in the game against New England, if at all. But when he is ultimately good to go, Mims will challenge Brown for that top spot, and if Brown hasn't performed well during the games that he started, it will be even easier for Mims to usurp him.

Zack Moss, Running back

A lot of fans in Cincinnati aren't quite sure what to expect when it comes to Zack Moss. He didn't play in the preseason at all, and he's never been a full-time starting back in the league before. On the other hand, there's a lot of buzz about second-year back Chase Brown heading into the season.

Brown was recently named the team's X-factor for 2024, and he reportedly took some first-team reps throughout training camp. He also recently received some very high public praise from one of his teammates.

"If I could play fantasy football, I'd take [Chase Brown] as my first running back," veteran offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. said last month. "He's going to have a year. I guarantee it. Special talent, special player."

The Bengals plan to employ a timeshare approach at the running back position, so perhaps the title of "starter" doesn't matter quite as much there, but if Moss starts off the season slowly, it wouldn't be crazy to see Brown ultimately overtake him on the depth chart.