When the Tennessee Titans drafted running back Tyjae Spears, it was expected he’d make his biggest impact through the air.
But so far through two games, Spears has done most of his damage on the ground, although he would’ve had a big play through the air in Week 1 if Ryan Tannehill didn’t miss him down the sideline.
Nevertheless, Spears, who has 11 carries, has looked the part of an explosive runner with 6.9 yards per. But it isn’t just about his slick cuts and great vision, he also runs hard and breaks tackles to pick up extra yardage.
It’s safe to say he’s impressed head coach Mike Vrabel, who believes big runs are in Spears’ future if the offensive line can do a better job upfront.
“We’re going to block for him one day, I promise you,” Vrabel said, per John Glennon of Nashville Post. “And he’s going to gain 30, 40, 50 yards… Every time you think he’s going to get tackled, he bursts through for another five or six yards. (Spears has) good vision, good balance, good play strength.”
The shifty and explosive Spears is the perfect complement to a power runner like Derrick Henry, who is explosive in his own right but off to a slow start on the ground with just 3.6 yards per carry.
If Tennessee can get Henry going in tandem with what Spears is doing, the duo will be one hell of a problem for opposing defenses the rest of the way.
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