Titans' RB Tyjae Spears Named a 'Sleeper Pick' in Recent ESPN Poll

The Tennessee Titans' selection of Tyjae Spears may not have gotten the most attention during the 2023 NFL draft, but comments from the coaches who went against him in college have led ESPN's Adam Rittenberg to name Spears as the Titans "sleeper pick."

NASHVILLE — Ranked beneath the trade up for Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans' neglect of the wide receiver position in the post-draft conversation pecking order was the selection of third-round running Tyjae Spears. The only talk about Spears was the concerning injury history. 

The coaches who went against Spears in college had a totally different concern. What they said about him led to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg naming Spears the Titans "sleeper pick" from the 2023 NFL draft.

Spears may in fact have a issue with his knee that limit his career, but that didn't seem to slow him down in the 2022 college football season and Rittenberg spoke with a Power 5 coordinator who gave his thoughts on Spears.

"But he had 'legit speed and shake,' a Power 5 coordinator said."

Throw on the film of Spears and you can see why that would be the description. Spears has torn the ACL in his right knee twice with the most recent coming in 2020 and there is some discussion he may not have an ACL remaining in the knee. This won't prevent Spears from being a weapon for the Titans early on, but as mentioned earlier, it may limit how long he can play. 

In 2022 at Tulane, Spears put up 1,581 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. If Spears did that while not possessing an ACL in his knee then maybe he can burst on the seen immediately and the short-term concern about the knee is overrated. Rittenberg clearly thinks it is possible based on naming Spears his sleeper.

Rittenberg spoke with another coordinator who played in the same conference with Spears(AAC) and the coordinator gave some high praise to the things you deal with when Spears is in the backfield.

"He's thicker than you give him credit for," an AAC defensive coordinator said of the 5-foot-10, 201-pound Spears. "He's put together. He'll protect on pass downs. A tough, hard-nosed kid."

Hopefully, Spears brings those qualities to the Titans so he can provide value out of the backfield and spell Derrick Henry, who is needing a true partner. Not only would Spears emerging provide a burst to the offense, but also does give you a chance to extend Henry's viability. The Titans are hoping this "sleeper" could wake up their offense.

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