To say that Tennessee Titans rookie running back Tyjae Spears looks like a phenomenal addition thus far would be putting it mildly.
During the pre-draft process, I gave the Tulane running back a mid-second-round grade (74.9), largely due to his ridiculous explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss, both in a phone booth and when operating in space.
I didn’t think the Titans would be the ones who landed him because I believed they would prioritize other positions that early in the draft considering they already had Derrick Henry.
However, the Titans clearly felt that Spears was too good to pass up on in Round 3, and that decision is already starting to look like a genius one by Tennessee’s front office.
Tyjae Spears is the definition of aura.
What other running back has a bag like this? pic.twitter.com/UyM5fND47G
— Tyler DeSena (@DeSenaSports) August 26, 2023
According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, Spears led the NFL this preseason with 4.73 yards after contact per carry among 54 running backs who qualified with a minimum of 15 carries.
Spears also finished No. 9 in yards per carry (5.3 YPC) while tallying the eighth-highest EPA (Expected Points Added) per rush (+0.09).
Arguably what’s most impressive about this type of production is the fact that he put up these stats while facing eight or more men in the box on an eye-popping 41 percent of his rushes, and seven-plus defenders in the box on approximately 82 percent of his carries.
According to Sharp, both of those rates were well above the NFL average this preseason.
Tyjae Spears led the NFL preseason with 4.73 yards after contact per rush
#1 of 54 RBs with over 15 rushes
also:
5.3 YPC (#9 of 54 RBs)
+0.09 EPA/rush (#8 of 54 RBs)
But it's not just the stats he put up. It's the fact he put up these stats while facing 8+ men in the box on… pic.twitter.com/Wlh4onNjtO
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 27, 2023
Titans fans are already salivating over the potential problems a Derrick Henry-Tyjae Spears backfield could create for opposing defenses.
Constantly going from a powerful runner like Henry to a fast and agile athlete such as Spears is not something that’s going to be fun for the opposition.
The Tulane product also gives the Titans a viable passing threat out of the backfield on third downs, and someone with his explosive skill set should be a real weapon in the screen game.
More importantly, adding the Tulane legend should do wonders when it comes to keeping Henry fresh for a potential playoff run later in the year.
While Spears won’t be dethroning Henry as a rookie, it’s definitely possible that the first-year ball carrier ends up flashing enough in his limited role that Tennessee ultimately feels OK with letting Henry walk in 2024.
Thankfully, the fanbase doesn’t have to worry about that potential reality anytime soon. For now, Titans fans should just embrace the fact that we could be on the verge of one of the best and most exciting running back tandems in the league this year.
