Denver named eight captains: Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, Quinn Meinerz, D.J. Jones, Pat Surtain II, Talanoa Hufanga, Alex Singleton and Wil Lutz. Sutton extends his long captain run to five years; Nix and Meinerz are entrenched leaders; Jones and Surtain II bring defense leadership; Hufanga, new to Denver, steps in quickly; Singleton and Lutz round out a balanced leadership core. Week 1 vs Tennessee tests this leadership-driven approach and fantasy upside across offense and special teams.

Patrick Surtain II landed at No. 10 on the NFL Top 100, underscoring his status as the Broncos’ defensive anchor as they open vs. Tennessee. Denver’s secondary depth—Moss, McMillian and Barron—paired with Dre Greenlaw’s expected ILB presence and a revived front seven, hints at another elite year on the back end. Denver’s pass rush, led by Bonitto and Allen with Cooper and Franklin-Myers, should pressure quarterbacks relentlessly, making Surtain a fantasy staple and the Broncos’ defense a perennial DFS favorite.

The Week 1 matchup vs Cam Ward and the Titans could amplify sack opportunities and turnover probability, especially with a historically strong Denver rush and lockdown coverage. If Surtain continues to elevate, his top-10 status could translate into blowups in both real-game impact and fantasy value, especially in leagues that prize cornerback stats and defensive turnovers.

Protector of the Year debuts in 2025, naming the NFL’s top blockers. Penei Sewell leads at +600, Lane Johnson at +650, and Trent Williams at +800, with a clear tilt toward tackles as the marquee protectors. The Lions’ line is highlighted for its recent dominance, Sewell cited as the standout among the early favorites. Creed Humphrey stands out as the lone interior lineman among the top odds, underscoring a likely edge-role bias. For fantasy, elite protection often buys time for quarterbacks and opens running lanes, quietly powering scoring beyond obvious skill-position stars.

Odds shift as proponents expect tackles to hog the spotlight, though interior linemen like Humphrey could spike if a team prioritizes center play. The piece also flags FanDuel promos and reminders about responsible gambling. In fantasy terms, the strongest offensive lines tend to stabilize offenses, boosting QB longevity and efficiency, which can translate into steadier receivers and more reliable RB production.