Grading The Pick: The Tennessee Titans Draft RB Nicholas Singleton No. 165 in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Titans took a new running back in the fifth round of the draft who has serious juice. If he can refine his game, he might put Tyjae Spears on notice.
A majority of Titans fans came into the 2026 NFL Draft expecting to add a running back. We were just a little bit off on which one it would be.
Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton was drafted as the newest Titan at pick 165 by Borgonzi & Co, rounding out the established (and crowded) room of Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Kalel Mullings, and free agent addition Michael Carter. Singleton is built well for a back at 6’0″ 220lbs, but don’t let the size fool you: he brings legit, day one impact ability as a receiving and kick returning threat.
Grading RB Nicholas Singleton to the Titans
Most analysts who evaluated Singleton came away a tad frustrated. This is a player who is a few tweaks away from being a potentially dangerous weapon at the NFL. Singleton was the Big 10 freshman of the year in 2022, managing 1,061 yards on the ground in his first season.
In the three years since, his loyalty to Penn State saw his role as a pass catcher increase. His best season came in 2024, when he put up 1099yds and 12 TDs rushing plus 375yds and 5 TDs receiving. 2025’s production was cut in half, along with the rest of the PSU program as things fell off the rails.
So if he’s built like an NFL back who offers immediate receiving and special teams upside, why was he on the board in the 160’s? Why was he listed as a frustrating watch on many big boards?
Because as a runner, his vision needs to take a big leap. Singleton runs with tunnel vision, struggling to find the hole too often. He comes into the pros as a real “one cut and go” type, with minimal elusiveness and room for improvement in pass pro.
Perhaps the most direct impact on his draft stock, however, is the fact that he broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot at the Senior Bowl in January. This sidelined him for the rest of the pre-draft process, and brings his rookie training into question as he ramps back up. He told us over zoom that he’s been feeling good and running around some already.
Was running back depth a big need for this team? I can’t say that it was. But the room improves with the addition of one of the only backs not named Jeremiyah Love in this class with legitimately intriguing NFL upside. His game is incomplete so far, but at this stage of the draft it’s all about finding players who have a way that they can win at the next level.
It’s not unfair to say that this archetype of player being drafted shines upon the writing on the wall for Tyjae Spears, whose rookie contract is up in a season. If Singleton heals up and leans into his strengths, he could be a valuable part of the rotation in Tennessee for years to come.
Grade: B