Five NFL players who could become household names by end of Week 1

Week 1 gives several young players the opportunity to make that introduction immediately. Some already have impressive résumés, while others will be making their NFL debuts. By Sunday night, these five players could have considerably more people talking about them.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Jeanty doesn't exactly qualify as an unknown after producing 975 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. But the Raiders running back could make the jump from promising young player to NFL star against the Miami Dolphins.

Jeanty is ready to play after an ankle injury briefly put his Week 1 status in doubt. More importantly, tight end Brock Bowers is out following knee surgery, potentially putting even more of the offense on Jeanty's shoulders.

A monster performance to begin his second season would get people's attention.

Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears

Buden might be the most interesting name on this list.

The Bears receiver flashed considerable potential as a rookie without becoming one of the league's household names. That could change quickly against the Carolina Panthers.

Burden is healthy entering the opener, while fellow receiver Rome Odunze is questionable with a calf injury after being limited throughout the week.

If Odunze is limited or unavailable, quarterback Caleb Williams could spend Sunday feeding Burden. Don't be shocked if he leaves Charlotte as one of Week 1's biggest stories.

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There are easier ways to begin an NFL career than chasing Joe Burrow.

Bain gets that assignment Sunday when Tampa Bay visits the Cincinnati Bengals. The first-round rookie arrives with expectations that he can immediately improve a Buccaneers pass rush that needed another difference-maker.

Bain carries no injury designation into the opener.

Getting Burrow on the ground once or twice would be quite the introduction.

Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Lemon doesn't need 10 catches to announce his arrival.

Philadelphia lists the rookie as its starting third receiver and punt returner entering Sunday's divisional game against the Washington Commanders. His summer was interrupted by a hamstring injury, so exactly how large his Week 1 role will be remains uncertain.

That's also what makes Lemon fascinating. One explosive reception or a punt return touchdown could turn a relatively quiet summer into a very loud opening weekend.

Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys

Downs gets something every rookie wants: a national audience.

Dallas opens against the New York Giants on "Sunday Night Football," putting the rookie safety under the lights immediately. The Cowboys didn't invest a premium draft pick in Downs to hide him in the secondary.

Defensive players sometimes need weeks to start generating national attention. Downs could accomplish it in one night.

An interception, forced fumble or game-changing hit in prime time would make sure plenty of NFL fans remember his name Monday morning.