The Tennessee Titans made what was no doubt their most surprising pick in recent memory — well, some would say since the second-round pick of Will Levis, but I digress — when they drafted running back Tyjae Spears in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
The selection is bizarre for several reasons, chief of which has to do with the Titans already having one of the best running backs in the sport.
Even if Henry isn’t in the plans for 2023, the Titans have Hassan Haskins, and Spears figures to be a complementary back rather than a workhorse, which is hardly worth taking over a major need at wide receiver.
I don’t even need to throw in the concerns over his knee to further show how bad this move is, but I will anyway. However, let me be clear, I think Spears is a talented player and this reaction has less to do with him than it does the circumstances in which he was taken.
At the combine, new #Titans RB Tyjae Spears’ medicals showed no ACL, loss of cartilage, and arthritis in his knee (via @RapSheet)
Questions about “if his career can outlast his first contract.” That’s why a player of his caliber dropped to 3rd Round.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) April 29, 2023
The Titans remain without an addition at wide receiver through three rounds of the draft, something I would have considered impossible to happen going into it.
I can live with the move for Levis in the spot it happened, but, again, this one just doesn’t make any sense to me. The reaction, as you’d expect, wasn’t positive.
NFL media friends: Do you cover a team that has utter disregard for a position?
Looking for a comp for #Titans WRs.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 29, 2023
Paging Cody Hollister!
You're needed for an even BIGGER role.
Please call the #Titans immediately.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 29, 2023
Don't fret. In each of Racey McMath's FOUR career catches, the #Titans see remarkable promise.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 29, 2023
Dislike https://t.co/uQfTM32HN1
— The Titans Wire (@TheTitansWire) April 29, 2023
#Titans come out of the first two days with a guard, a quarterback nobody wanted, and a running back. Maybe y’all are right about this franchise never changing lol
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) April 29, 2023
#Titans will enter 2023 with ALL their eggs in the Treylon Burks/Chig Okonwko/Kyle Philips basket for the passing game. Seems less than ideal.
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) April 29, 2023
I tried to warn y’all about WR….
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) April 29, 2023
Are y’all drunk? What the hell are y’all thinking??
— Ice Pick Sports (@picks_ice) April 29, 2023
Never let Ran cook again
— name (@donovan728) April 29, 2023
I actually love Tyjae Spears, just a little unexpected at 81 with guys like Ringo, AT Perry, Tyler Scott there
— Jared Mayo (@jaredmayo22) April 29, 2023
Who’s catching passes this year?
— Josh Belcher (@JTB3713) April 29, 2023
Kind sirs and madams, I implore you to consider a pressing need at pass catchers.
— Ricardo Shilly-Shally 🪬 ⚔️🐻PostSzn (@Dare2BChange) April 29, 2023
Night 1 was so cool. Idk what happened today.
— Dustin. (@Dnjohnson9) April 29, 2023
Treylon Burks after leading the team in every receiving stat possible pic.twitter.com/utPLZWVkge
— Logan (@logancampbell26) April 29, 2023
Throwing to dollar general employees again this season I see
— Mikey V’s Burner (@titansarepain) April 29, 2023
Tonight has been a disaster
— Jimmy Morris (@jmorrisMCM) April 29, 2023
That said the #Titans not taking a WR on Day 1 or 2 is infuriating https://t.co/zOVHiV3EwM
— Wes on Broadway (@TitansStats) April 29, 2023
There must be a plan at WR
There just MUST
— Sal From Jerrrssseeeyyy (@salmanfredi) April 29, 2023
All jokes aside, possible WR options for #Titans tomorrow at No. 147:
Xavier Hutchinson
Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Grant Dubose
Dontavion Wicks
C.J. Johnson
Andrei Iosivas https://t.co/ZomX6EoV7n— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 29, 2023
Titans get one of the most exciting runners in the NFL Draft in Tyjae Spears. His mix of contact balance, lateral quickness, and burst make him a big play waiting to happen. Reminds me of Aaron Jones. Has some ridiculous runs: pic.twitter.com/94hXOg23vd
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) April 29, 2023
I truly don’t understand why this franchise hates receivers. Tyjae Spears is super talented, but goodness gracious WHO IS CATCHING WILL LEVIS’ ERRANT PASSES? https://t.co/UaBmymz9fK
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) April 29, 2023
At the combine, new #Titans RB Tyjae Spears’ medicals showed no ACL, loss of cartilage, and arthritis in his knee (via @RapSheet)
Questions about “if his career can outlast his first contract.” That’s why a player of his caliber dropped to 3rd Round.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) April 29, 2023
Tyjae Spears might turn out to be a fine player, but the #Titans lack of interest in addressing the wide receiver position is completely befuddling.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 29, 2023
I get the Will Levis pick. I don’t get the Tyjae Spears pick. At all.
— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) April 29, 2023
A @PFF nugget or two on #Titans RB Tyjae Spears:
–Gained 1,052 of his 1,586 rushing yards after contact last season.
–Posted a 90.2 PFF grade last yr.
–5th-ranked RB draft prospect by PFF and The Athletic.— John Glennon (@glennonsports) April 29, 2023
