Titans Tab Tulane Running Back Tyjae Spears In Round 3

Despite the apparent need for wide receivers, the Tennessee Titans used Friday night's second pick on a running back, choosing Tulane's Tyjae Spears with the No. 81 overall pick in the third round.

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NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Titans turned the second night of the 2023 NFL Draft into a head-scratcher as they traded their second-round selection, No. 41 overall, and their third-round selection, No. 72, and a 2024 3rd round pick to Arizona for the Cardinals No.33, and No. 81 overall. 

Tennessee used the No. 33 selection on quarterback Will Levis and then used No. 81 to select Tulane running back Tyjae Spears.

While the Levis selection caused some to wonder, the Spear selection was an even bigger head-scratcher. Spears is a solid running back and a solid receiver out of the backfield; he is not a receiver,      

Standing 5-foot-10, and 201 pounds, Spears is unafraid to run between the tackles, and his 4.5 forty speed allows him to be a threat to get to the edge. In his final season at Tulane, Spears rushed for 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Mike Vrabel made a point of talking about the injury situation the Titans faced the previous two season. Spears has an injury history that includes two ACL injuries, with one coming in high school, and one in college. 

Vrabel shared his thoughts on Spears injury history.  

"(Spears) Played a lot of productive snaps, I don't know how many, didn't miss many snaps or time at all," said Vrabel. "He was a full participant throughout the week at the Senior Bowl, and I think both of us are comfortable with where we're at with Tyjae, and what his availability will be going forward. That may change, but I feel good about where it is right now."

Spears will have the opportunity to compete with Hasan Hasking, and Julius Chestnut when minicamp and training camp begins.  

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