2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
100
YDS
453
TD
2
YDS
385
TD
1
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Spears' rookie season might not have drawn headlines but was a clear success overall. He was as good of a runner as expected (453 yards and two touchdowns on 100 carries) and finished third on the team in both catches (52) and targets (70). The 2023 third-round pick was phenomenal at Tulane, where he ran for 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns on just 229 carries (6.9 YPC) his senior season, hinting at reason to expect more than 450 yards on his next 100 carries in the NFL. Spears already showed the ability to shine through when the Titans offense struggled in 2023, so he won't necessarily be ruined if the new-look offense built around QB Will Levis and head coach Brian Callahan doesn't pan out. Tony Pollard is the bigger limiting factor for Spears' fantasy projection, with Tennessee adding the former Dallas running back on a three-year, $21.75 million deal. It's not clear how the Titans intend to split the workload between their two talented backs, but it's probably fair to say neither is built to last as a true workhorse. Both are comfortable catching passes and explosive running in space, but they're also thin by RB standards, with Pollard listed at 6-0, 209, and Spears at 5-10, 200. The split could be something close to 50-50, with Spears perhaps trading some of last year's targets for carries now that he's sharing a backfield with Pollard instead of Derrick Henry. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Faces new competition in Pollard
Spears faces a new backfield situation that's set to add Tony Pollard via a three-year, $24 million contract, while Derrick Henry remains slated for free agency, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Spears, a 2023 third-round pick, is coming off a strong rookie season in which he compiled 838 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns, showcasing versatility and explosiveness despite only getting one chance to handle double-digit carries in a game. The Titans' decision to sign Pollard appears to simultaneously signal the end of Henry's era with the team. Spears could have an easier path to genuinely competing for touches with Pollard, whereas Henry was firmly entrenched as a true lead back, and both players profile similarly. Spears and Pollard are each versatile and elusive runners, which will allow Tennessee's offense to swap both players off the field relatively freely. Spears and Pollard look the part of a solid 1-2 punch, though for fantasy purposes it's possible they could both limit each other from attaining a true workhorse workload.
Spears, a 2023 third-round pick, is coming off a strong rookie season in which he compiled 838 yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns, showcasing versatility and explosiveness despite only getting one chance to handle double-digit carries in a game. The Titans' decision to sign Pollard appears to simultaneously signal the end of Henry's era with the team. Spears could have an easier path to genuinely competing for touches with Pollard, whereas Henry was firmly entrenched as a true lead back, and both players profile similarly. Spears and Pollard are each versatile and elusive runners, which will allow Tennessee's offense to swap both players off the field relatively freely. Spears and Pollard look the part of a solid 1-2 punch, though for fantasy purposes it's possible they could both limit each other from attaining a true workhorse workload.
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
Advanced NFL Stats
How do Tyjae Spears' 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
18.0%Positive Run %
83.0%% Yds After Contact
60.7%Avg Yds After Contact
2.8Rushing TD %
2.0%Touches Per Game
8.9% Snaps w/Touch
28.8%Air Yards Per Game
-1.1Air Yards Per Snap
-0.03% Team Air Yards
-0.4%% Team Targets
14.7%Avg Depth of Target
-0.3 YdsCatch Rate
74.3%Drop Rate
2.9%Avg Yds After Catch
9.0% Targeted On Route
23.6%Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.30Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2023 NFL Game Log
Loading Game Log...
Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Loading Weekly Snap Counts...
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Tyjae Spears lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Team Alignment Breakdown...
2023 Tyjae Spears Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Tyjae Spears' measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* The 40-Yard Dash metric is from his Pro Day. All others are from the NFL Combine.
Height
5' 10"Weight
200 lbs40-Yard Dash*
4.47 secVertical Jump
39.0 inBroad Jump
125 inHand Length
10.00 inArm Length
30.75 in
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Tyjae Spears See More
Rashee Rice is one of the many players whose ADP rebounded in July after sinking earlier this offseason. RotoWire's Jerry Donabedian gives the full breakdown on recent ADP movement.
RotoWire conducted three fantasy football drafts at once in Las Vegas, and Jason Thornbury is on hand to break down all the picks, steals, reaches and results.
The third installment of our top-150 Roundtable Rankings didn't see much movement, but things are about to heat up.
Jim Coventry offers quick fantasy takes on some illuminating stats for various players, including why Breece Hall should be the second running back off the board.
There were few surprises in the second installment of our top-150 Roundtable Rankings. Christian McCaffrey is still on top. Check out our latest composite rankings now.
2023 Fantasy Outlook
No one questions the running skill of Spears, who routinely made defenders look foolish as he raced to 2,910 yards and 31 touchdowns (6.8 YPC) in his 33-game career at Tulane. The question is whether Spears has the athletic tools necessary for his skill to manifest at the pro level. A 2023 third-round pick, Spears is not fast (4.54 pro day 40) despite a light frame (5-11, 201), so he might find in the NFL that his methods don't work as well as they did at the collegiate level. Not just that, but Spears is reportedly missing the ACL and cartilage entirely in one of his knees. At his size, Spears' body might hold him back. If he survives, though, he should win the backup role behind Derrick Henry, competing mostly with 2022 fourth-round pick Hassan Haskins.
More Fantasy News
Two scores to end rookie season
Spears rushed the ball three times for 25 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-20 win over the Jaguars. He added three receptions (on three targets) for 31 yards and another score.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Struggles on six carries
Spears ran for zero yards on six carries and caught four passes for 29 yards on six targets in Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Texans.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Earns 14 touches in Week 16
Spears notched nine carries for 40 yards and five catches (on six targets) for 27 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Seahawks.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Held to 37 total yards
Spears rushed the ball nine times for 30 yards in Sunday's 19-16 loss to Houston. He added one catch on one target for seven yards.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Tops 100 total yards again
Spears rushed the ball seven times for 29 yards in Monday's 28-27 win over Miami. He added six receptions on eight targets for 89 yards.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Should see more work in 2024
Coach Brian Callahan said that neither Spears nor Tony Pollard is considered the starter at the beginning of training camp, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Callahan didn't detail exactly how he plans to use either back, but this signals a potential increase in usage for Spears. He tallied 100 carries as a rookie, which should be the biggest area for his workload to increase. Spears has already proven to be a strong pass catcher, as he tallied 52 receptions for 385 yards last season.
Callahan didn't detail exactly how he plans to use either back, but this signals a potential increase in usage for Spears. He tallied 100 carries as a rookie, which should be the biggest area for his workload to increase. Spears has already proven to be a strong pass catcher, as he tallied 52 receptions for 385 yards last season.