The Tennessee Titans drafted running back Tyjae Spears in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft. Last year, he sat behind star running back Derrick Henry. Henry has since left for the Baltimore Ravens, so the Titans added former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard this offseason.
Last year, as a backup, Spears recorded 100 carries for 453 yards and two touchdowns while adding 52 receptions for 385 yards and a touchdown (plus a fumble). As a senior at Tulane, he recorded 212 carries for 1,376 yards and 15 touchdowns. The potential for him to be great is definitely there, and his playing time will be determined by how he continues to play for the Titans.
Given that the potential is there and Pollard isn’t the same type of running back as Henry, Spears has an opportunity ahead of him in 2024. It’s a big enough opportunity that CBS Sports thinks he can have a breakout year.
“Spears surprisingly outsnapped Derrick Henry during his rookie season, and looked electric whenever the Titans got the ball in his hands. Now splitting the backfield with Tony Pollard, and with coach Brian Callahan talking up each of their respective abilities in the passing game, Spears should have significant runway to emerge as a major two-way threat.”
Given Spears’ ability to both catch and run with the ball, he adds a dimension to the game that teams aren’t prepared for. The Titans already have a three-headed monster at the receiver position, so when you add in another target, opposing defenses will struggle to figure out who to stop.
Pollard is currently the starter and may carry the bulk of the workload, but as Spears’ sophomore season progresses, he may be the one to take over.