Tag: Tyjae Spears

Tyjae Spears says he was ‘so, so hurt’ the Saints didn’t draft him

Tyjae Spears was one of many Saints fans disappointed to see them draft a different running back last year: ‘I was so, so hurt’

Add Tyjae Spears to the list of New Orleans Saints fans who were shocked to see the team pick a different running back in last year’s NFL draft. Now with the Tennessee Titans, Spears recounted his draft-day experience with ESPN’s Turron Davenport. The Saints passed on Spears with the No. 71 pick, which they used on Kendre Miller. Spears went to the Titans ten slots later at No. 81.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I’m gonna keep it real. I was so, so hurt that they didn’t draft me,” Spears reflected. He was disappointed to not get to play football for his hometown team, but he’s grateful to be where he is now. Spears continue, “I’m blessed. I’m used to this position, I’m right where I need to be. My family inside the building, my family at home, I’m good, man.”

There was a lot of buzz around the pick last offseason. Spears had said publicly that he’d be thrilled to turn pro in New Orleans after excelling at Tulane. The team’s running backs coach personally put Spears through a workout at the Green Wave pro day. It had the makings of a great story.

But Spears fell in the draft due to concerns about the long-term health of his knee, and the Saints drafted a player with more immediate injury problems instead. Miller was actively recovering from a knee injury when they picked him. He missed more time with leg and ankle issues throughout his rookie year, and he’s been sidelined since the first day of training camp with an injured hamstring.

Spears was active for all 17 games last season and played well in tandem with Derrick Henry, totaling 100 carries for 453 rushing yards while catching 52 passes for another 385 receiving yards. He’s expecting a heavier workload after Henry left in free agency this offseason.

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Where do post-Derrick Henry Titans rank in latest running back power rankings?

The Tennessee Titans no longer have Derrick Henry, so where does their running back group rank among the rest of the league?

The Tennessee Titans will embark on the 2024 season with a new-look offense under head coach Brian Callahan.

With Will Levis under center and a solid group of receivers, the passing game looks set to improve upon 2023. The question is, with Derrick Henry now in Baltimore, how will the running game look?

Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team believes the Titans will start the season in the top half of the league in his running back power rankings.

12. Tennessee Titans

The Derrick Henry era is officially over in Tennessee, but that doesn’t mean the Titans aren’t talented at running back.

Tony Pollard was signed this offseason, and he appears to be fully healthy again. He’ll be paired up with Tyjae Spears, giving them one of the most explosive backfields in the league.

Free agent acquisition Tony Pollard should team up with breakout candidate Tyjae Spears, giving the Titans a dynamic backfield tandem.

Pollard appears healthy and poised to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive season after coming over from the Dallas Cowboys. Spears, who is coming off a solid rookie campaign, looks to build upon his performance last season by adding an explosive weapon both on the ground and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

With weapons in both the running and passing game, it will be up to the offensive line to be solid. If they are, this running back stable could surpass the No. 12 preseason ranking given to them by The 33rd Team and help power the Titans offense toward a successful season.

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Titans’ Tyjae Spears named among five emerging running backs

Tennessee Titans RB Tyjae Spears continues to pick up preseason recognition, this time being listed among emerging running backs.

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears continues to be recognized by various media outlets entering his second season. The 23-year-old has been pegged by many as a potential breakout player for the upcoming 2024 NFL campaign.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports was the latest to list Spears among the five young running backs who are talented enough to be valuable contributors.

Here was part of his analysis:

Spears has supreme lateral cutting skill even by NFL standards, plenty of burst off the snap and contact balance is clearly part of what he brings to the field. He’s also caught 52 passes a season ago — 11th most in football — and forced the second-most missed tackles on those receptions. Massive potential for this former Tulane superstar, who’s always looked like one of the most athletically gifted players in any game in which he’s participated.

With Derrick Henry no longer roaming the backfield, touches are certainly up for grabs. Spears will start the season splitting time with free-agent signing Tony Pollard, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second consecutive season in 2023.

As alluded to, Spears rushed for 453 yards on 100 carries in a defined backup role last season. However, the former third-round pick, who rushed for nearly 1,600 yards as a junior at Tulane, is expected to be utilized more in a feature-back-type role, both as a runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield.

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One thing to watch in Titans vs. Seahawks preseason game

The Titans starters won’t play on Saturday against the Seahawks, but there’s still one thing to watch for in the second preseason game.

Week 2 of the preseason started on Thursday with the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the New England Patriots. The Tennessee Titans face the Seattle Seahawks on the road on Saturday and have just one more game to solidify their team before the regular season starts.

This week, the Titans are focused on their bubble players, trying to make sense of who stays and who goes when they finalize their 53-man roster. It’s the midpoint of the preseason, and this game matters most to those jockeying for a spot on the team. According to CBS Sports, here’s the one thing to watch for in Week 2:

The Tony Pollard-Tyjae Spears RB duo: In the post Derrick Henry era, the committee of Pollard and Spears produced excellent results — at least for one game so far. Spears scored a touchdown in the preseason opener and Pollard pulled off a 24-yard run in a strong night for the Titans offense, as the duo combined for seven carries for 37 yards.

The Titans offense will look different with the slinging Will Levis, but Pollard and Spears may be the glue toward making the passing game efficient. We’ll see how much either play with Seattle and Tennessee having joint practice this week.

The thing is, it’s unlikely Pollard plays at all since Brian Callahan already said the starters weren’t playing. Spears will see the field, at least a little bit, because he’s a rookie and needs the reps. But his position on the team is not in jeopardy at this point. Still, with Malik Willis at the helm, it’s possible the run game gets a workout this weekend. Even if neither of these backs plays, seeing who else steps up is a good reason to watch.

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Titans’ Tyjae Spears named breakout player in 2024

Forget the fantasy projections, Titans RB Tyjae Spears could have a career breakout season according to CBS Sports.

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.

Titans RB Tyjae Spears named a fantasy football breakout player for 2024

Can Tyjae Spears be a fantasy breakout star in 2024?

The Tennessee Titans signed veteran running back Tony Pollard in the offseason, confusing some fans who wanted to see Tyjae Spears be the lead back.

The 23-year-old Spears was a third-round pick in 2023 and was franchise legend Derrick Henry’s primary backup. Spears is a much different type of player than Henry, though.

Tennessee’s coaching change this offseason made things even more confusing. The Titans replaced Mike Vrabel with Brian Callahan. So, did Callahan prefer Pollard over Spears?

No, not at all. On Tennessee’s first depth chart of the season, Pollard and Spears were essentially listed as 1a and 1b. Both will be heavily featured for the Titans this fall.

However, if you’re a fantasy football fan, one stands out more than the other: Spears.

Jamey Eisenberg of CBS Sports recently named several potential fantasy breakout players in 2024 who can help you win your league. Spears was one of 12 NFL players named.

The message this entire offseason and training camp from the Titans has been that Spears and Tony Pollard will share touches. It goes back to Brian Callahan telling me at the NFL owner’s meeting in March that Pollard and Spears are a “pretty formidable 1-2 punch.” But Callahan wouldn’t say if one will get significantly more touches than the other, so it’s somewhat of a guessing game how this will unfold. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Spears is the better of the two, and he’s cheaper with an ADP of 102.8 compared to Pollard at 78.1. As a rookie in 2023, Spears only had seven games with at least 10 total touches, but he scored at least 11.7 PPR points in four of those outings. He did well as a receiver out of the backfield and was one of just 14 running backs in 2023 with at least 50 receptions (52 catches for 385 yards and a touchdown on 70 targets). If Spears remains in the pass-catching role that gives him value even as a flex if he’s the backup to Pollard early in the year. And if Pollard were to miss time due to an injury then Spears could be a star. I want plenty of shares of Spears, especially at his current ADP.

It’s always tough to draft a running back high in a fantasy draft when a timeshare is involved. But Spears is the most talented back on the roster. He and Pollard have similar skills, but if all things are fair, it’s difficult to see Pollard getting more touches than Spears in 2024.

Some fantasy owners could be afraid to draft either Tennessee back early, meaning Spears could be a bargain.

WATCH: Titans RB Tyjae Spears making people miss in training camp

Tyjae Spears had a big day on Thursday.

The Tennessee Titans hit the reset button on their backfield in 2024. Tennessee made the difficult choice to let franchise legend and future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry walk. Of course, with a new coaching staff and a change in philosophy, it made sense.

Gone were Mike Vrabel, Henry, and the run-first offense. In were new head coach Brian Callahan, running back Tony Pollard, and wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. The Titans also signed center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency and used a top-10 pick on offensive tackle JC Latham.

With all of those changes, it was easy to forget that Tyjae Spears was back. The second-year running back showed enough last season to excite general manager Ran Carthon about the future of the Titans’ backfield.

During Thursday’s practice, Spears was showing off his moves, making defenders miss on his way into the end zone. It happened twice.

Here’s one of those runs:

The Titans released their depth chart earlier this week, and Spears and Pollard were both listed as RB1.

Tennessee opens the preseason on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Titans waive promising UDFA running back

Titans waive promising young running back.

Prior to Day 2 of training camp on Thursday, the Tennessee Titans waived running back Dillon Johnson, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. The move was made in advance of the team signing center Corey Levin and linebacker Shane Ray.

Johnson, who signed as an undrafted free agent in late April, was considered a dark horse candidate to make the Titans’ Week 1 roster. The 23-year-old had a breakout year at Washington last year after spending his first three collegiate seasons at Mississippi State.

Johnson rushed for 1,195 yards, which was the second-most in the Pac-12, on 233 carries and crossed the goal line 16 times. He also hauled in 24 catches for 190 yards out of the backfield.

With Johnson no longer in the mix, the Titans’ running back room has a bit more clarity. Tennessee will utilize a 1-2 punch of Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard. The competition for the third running back spot appears to be down to three candidates: Julius Chestnut, Hassan Haskins, and Jabari Small.

Chestnut has been with the Titans for the last two seasons after initially signing as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The 23-year-old rushed for 12 yards on nine carries in six games as a rookie. His season was cut short last year in Week 3 with a hamstring injury.

Haskins, drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, missed all of last season after being placed on injured reserve in late August.

Small joined the team as an undrafted free agent after amassing 2,122 yards and 24 touchdowns in four seasons at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Titans’ RB Tyjae Spears not pressing despite splitting time with Pollard

Tyjae Spears remaining patient ahead of the 2024 season.

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears knows the opportunity he has in front of him. After serving in a backup capacity to Derrick Henry as a rookie last season, the 23-year-old is in line for an increased workload this year.

However, the addition of Tony Pollard and his three-year, $21.750 million contract comes with a starting running-back implication. Head coach Brian Callahan stated that he does not view either player as the “starting” running back. Rather, Spears and Pollard will split time.

What that means and what that looks like is yet to be determined, but one thing is for sure: there will be increased pressure to perform in a limited viewing leading up to the start of the 2024 NFL season. That can often result in players pressing to try to force something to happen.

However, Spears understands that he needs to exercise patience when it’s his turn.

“You can’t press it,” Spears said via John Glennon of the Nashville Post. “What I mean by pressing is that you can’t (makes a tensing noise). When you do get your opportunity, you don’t want to be (makes a tensing noise). You want to be calm; you want to be in the moment.

“I was just saying that today. I was like, ‘Man, run your running style and don’t let anybody dictate it because they’re on the other side of the defense. They’re going to do what they’re going to do, and we have to react off what they do.'”

Spears had a strong showing in a secondary role last year. The Tulane standout rushed for 453 yards on 100 carries and scored two touchdowns while playing in 17 games, including one start. Added, Spears was an asset in the passing game, hauling in 52 catches for 385 yards and one touchdown out of the backfield.

Pollard brings a similar skill set, coming over from the Dallas Cowboys. The 2023 season marked the 27-year-old’s first as the lead back. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive year and caught 55 balls for 311 yards.

Both players figure to be key elements in the Titans’ pass-first offense, and their roles will likely sort themselves out as the preseason schedule unfolds.

A closer look at the Tennessee Titans backfield

What should we expect from the Tony Pollard-Tyjae Spears tandem?

From the moment Mike Vrabel was hired to be the head coach of the Tennessee Titans before the 2018 season, you knew you were going to get two things: a physical defense, and a heavy dose of running back Derrick Henry each week. After six years of that, it’s a new day in Nashville. Vrabel was fired after posting a 13-21 record over the last two seasons, and Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

Vrabel’s replacement is Brian Callahan, who was hired after serving as offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals for the last five seasons. In Cincinnati, he oversaw a pass-first offense led by young superstar quarterback Joe Burrow and the receiving tandem of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. While the Titans have upgraded their own receivers room, which now includes DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd, a familiar face from Cincy, the jury is still out on QB Will Levis.

As such, the ground game should be important for the 2024 Titans. With Henry gone, Tennessee gave former Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard a three-year, $21.75 million deal to join promising youngster Tyjae Spears atop the depth chart. Let’s look at what we can expect from them this year.