Tennessee Titans snagged a steal in the NFL Draft who should fit perfectly at rookie minicamp after impressive Michigan career
One of the primary reasons (among many) that the Tennessee Titans ended up with the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was that their running game was atrocious. The offensive line wasn't great. Tony Pollard wasn't his usual explosive self. Tyjae Spears was frustratingly inefficient all year long (partially due to playing […]
One of the primary reasons (among many) that the Tennessee Titans ended up with the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was that their running game was atrocious. The offensive line wasn't great. Tony Pollard wasn't his usual explosive self. Tyjae Spears was frustratingly inefficient all year long (partially due to playing through injury). The entire run game was a rough watch.
The Titans knew they needed to address the running game in some form this offseason so new general manager Mike Borgonzi added the one kind of piece the team didn't already have: a truly trustworthy power running back.
Kalel Mullings, RB Michigan
Kalel Mullings began his career with the Michigan Wolverines as an outside linebacker back in 2020, but eventually switched to running back when both Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards suffered injuries during the 2022 season. Once Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan staff at the time realized what they had with Mullings at running back making the change permanent was an easy decision.
Despite Donovan Edwards–his backfield mate–being the far more hyped up running back for Michigan this past season, Mullings was the player who became a real star for the Wolverines. Mullings finished the season with nearly 1000 yards from scrimmage and a dozen touchdowns scored on the year, adding nearly 700 of those yards after contact.
At 6'2", 226 pounds Mullings offers something the other two primary running backs for the Tennessee Titans don't have: formidable thumping feature back size. Pollard has bulked up a bit from his early career years, weighing just shy of 210 pounds now, but Spears is still sub-200 pounds. Both backs posted success rates well below 50% in 2024, collectively averaging just barely four yards per carry–neither instilling much fear in opposing defenses.
The Titans obviously want to run the ball more (and efficiently) based on how last season played out. Despite the team facing negative game scripts for the vast majority of the season the Titans still ranked around the middle of the pack in rush attempts. Leaning on a bigger bodied back like Mullings from time to time who can keep the chains moving with his extra yards after contact might just help the Titans offense stay on schedule.
Mullings still has to beat out Julius Chestnut–a running back with some size returning to the team this season–but he shouldn't have any problem doing so. Chestnut is a former UDFA talent operating on just a one-year contract with the team. Mullings should quickly prove that he's a worthy power running back for the Titans to trust in rookie minicamp and all throughout this summer given how dominant he was for much of his final season with Michigan.
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And if you want to check out some of the best plays from Kalel Mullings when he was with the Michigan Wolverines to see why he's the perfect power running back for the Titans just enjoy the highlights video below.
