Denver signed J.K. Dobbins to bring north-south power and leadership to a retooled backfield. Week 1 vs Tennessee: 16 carries for 69 yards and a 19-yard TD, but 15 carries for 50 yards without the score, a 3.3-3.9 average that underscored inconsistency. Inside-zone runs looked productive, while outside tosses lacked burst, leaving yards on the table. The takeaway: Broncos should prioritize north-south rushing with Dobbins while using other backs for outside speed to maximize the offense and fantasy upside.

For fantasy managers, the path is clearer if Denver leans into power between the tackles and minimizes outside runs for Dobbins. His vision and stout frame are assets, but burst and tempo matter. The depth behind him—RJ Harvey, Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin—offers complementary flexibility without forcing Dobbins into every outside scheme. Monitor how Payton balances inside vs outside concepts in the coming weeks.

The Titans named seven permanent captains for 2025: Cam Ward, Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Jeffery Simmons, Amani Hooker, Cody Barton and Morgan Cox. Lloyd Cushenberry was revealed as the eighth captain for Week 1 vs Denver. Cushenberry, who sat out practice late last season after an Achilles tear, returns to anchor an offensive line facing Denver’s feared pass rush with a rookie quarterback under center.

Denver’s front seven and exotic blitzes heighten Week 1 risk for Tennessee, making Cushenberry’s communication critical. Ward’s first NFL test will shape early-season fantasy value for Ridley and Pollard, while veteran anchors like Simmons and Hooker, plus Barton’s IDP floor and Cox’s special-teams reliability, provide leadership and steady production as the Titans navigate a tough opener.

Week 1 at Empower Field reunites six Broncos alumni in Titans gear, creating a familiar storyline with real fantasy implications. Cushenberry III anchors TEN’s interior after leaving Denver; Clay Webb adds practice-squad depth; Brandon Allen and Trevor Siemian split QB reps; Dre'Mont Jones and Cody Barton boost Titans’ edge and LB corps. Denver enters as an 8-point home favorite on a nationally televised opener, setting a crowded fantasy stage for run games and pass rush.

Cam Ward, the Titans' rookie captain, steps into a leadership role as Tennessee opens the season with him at the controls. Ward joins Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Jeffery Simmons, Amani Hooker, Cody Barton and Morgan Cox as captains, giving a unique blend of offense, defense and special teams leadership. Ward’s Week 1 assignment against Denver highlights the heavy expectation on a rookie quarterback to set the tone, while Ridley and Pollard provide veteran firepower around him. The group underscores a team-wide emphasis on accountability and preparation.

Ward’s rise is framed by an unconventional path—from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami—positioning him as a high-upside, low-floor option for fantasy managers who bet on early opportunities and mentor-like leadership. Ridley’s presence signals volume upside, Pollard’s stabilized carries, and Simmons’ and Hooker’s anchor roles on defense. Barton and Cox add depth across special teams and front-seven leadership, creating a cohesive, accountable culture from Week 1 onward.

Overall, the Titans lean into Ward’s leadership as a catalyst for a season that could hinge on his ability to translate college-level poise to NFL decision-making. fantasy managers should watch Ward’s early volume distribution, Ridley’s target share, Pollard’s touches, and the defense’s ability to disrupt games, especially in a Week 1 clash with the Broncos.