Tennessee elevated Corey Levin and Carlos Watkins from the practice squad for Week 1 against Denver, while Amani Hooker secured a three-year extension. Levin provides experienced inside depth behind an injured Cushenberry, and Watkins adds veteran interior DL rotation. The move showcases confidence in the unit as Denver looms, with altitude and depth considerations shaping the game plan.

Broncos' center Cushenberry III remains sidelined, making Levin a key insurance piece. Watkins’ presence strengthens the Titans’ front, particularly in run defense and rotation-heavy packages. Fantasy managers should monitor this depth chart shift and the Mile High environment as Week 1 unfolds.

Amani Hooker’s three-year, $48.6 million extension with Tennessee locks in a playmaking safety who logged 96.2% of defensive snaps last season, piling up a career-high five interceptions and nine pass breakups. With Hooker returning as a starter, the Titans pair him with veteran Xavier Woods to fortify the back end, while Quandre Diggs provides rotational coverage and depth behind a five-safety slate. Week 1 at Denver will test a revamped unit that fantasy managers should watch for immediate IDP upside.

The deal signals a long-term commitment to a high-floor secondary, as Hooker’s consistency and ball skills translate into steady tackle and turnover potential. Woods’ arrival adds veteran presence; Diggs' rotational role keeps fresh looks in subpackages. Behind them, Mike Brown and 2025 third-rounder Kevin Winston Jr. add depth as Tennessee gauges development. Denver looms as a stern early-season gauge for the Titans’ defensive backfield.

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 IDP Start/Sit leans into high-volume pass games and affordable streamers. Jared Verse stands out as a casual DL streamer with a favorable matchup, while Jalon Walker is a low-owned rookie dart in shallow leagues if he plays Week 1. Jordan Battle looks solid in a plus matchup, and Amani Hooker carries upside in volume-heavy games, though turnover volatility remains. Micah Parsons warrants tempered expectations after a long holdout and a back-issue, impacting Week 1 usage.

Premium/deep options show upside like Shemar Stewart, while Charvarius Ward offers a favorable DB stream in a pass-happy game script. Caution persists with Patrick Surtain II as a spot-start vs a QB who could target shadow coverage, and Leonard Williams is a fade given a tough matchup split. Mike Green, Marques Sigle, and Payton Wilson emerge as worthy stash adds in dynasty/deep redraft formats.

Defenders worth rostering beyond Week 1 include Green, Sigle, and Wilson, each offering immediate or near-term upside in defenses lacking edge depth. The piece stresses avoiding Week 1 overreactions, prioritizing players with clear tackle or pressure upside and aligning starts with games expected to feature heavy volume. In shallow leagues, lean toward proven tacklers and defenses with pass-happy opponents to maximize Week 1 floor and upside.