Tennessee Titans Select RB Tyjae Spears in Round 3 of 2023 NFL Draft

The Tennessee Titans continue a controversial draft with the selection of running back Tyjae Spears out of Tulane with their third-round pick.

NASHVILLE — Going into day two of the NFL draft you would have assumed the Tennessee Titans would have to take a wide receiver at some point, but barring a last-minute trade back into the top 100 picks, the Titans are looking like they will leave the day without a receiver. The reason? The Titans trade up to take Will Levis and used their third rounder on running back Tyjae Spears out of Tulane.

Spears spent four years at Tulane and put up some impressive numbers. Spears played in 33 games and ran for 2,910 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. Spears isn’t just a threat on the ground though, he can be a weapon in the passing game, putting up 48 catches and 564 yards during that time. Spears has the ability to be a complement to Derrick Henry right away.

The question becomes whether Spears can take over as the lead back for Henry eventually. Spears has great agility and makes quick cuts that would fit the Titans zone-run scheme on offense. Spears could never be the workhorse Henry is, but as the lead back in a committee he may be able to get the job done. However, there is an issue. Spears has been oft-injured during his college years. Outlined below by Ian Rapoport from NFL Network.

Here’s @RapSheet breaking down Tyjae Spears’ injury history. pic.twitter.com/i6E6siXf6D

— Mickey Ryan (@MickeyRyan1045) April 29, 2023

It is fair to be concerned after hearing things like Spears could potentially be without an ACL entirely. We will need to get answers from Ran Carthon and Mike Vrabel as to whether they are comfortable with the medicals. If Spears does stay healthy though, he could be a dynamic weapon for the Titans in an offense that desperately needs one.

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