Titans playmaker tagged as under-the-radar player who could take a big leap in 2024 by national media outlet
With a new coaching staff and an influx of talent, the Tennessee Titans have quietly pieced together a team capable of contending for a playoff spot in 2024. However, after just 13 combined wins over the last two seasons the Titans are flying under the national media's radar. Titans former head coach Mike Vrabel played […]
With a new coaching staff and an influx of talent, the Tennessee Titans have quietly pieced together a team capable of contending for a playoff spot in 2024. However, after just 13 combined wins over the last two seasons the Titans are flying under the national media's radar.
Titans former head coach Mike Vrabel played a grind-it-out style centered around a hard-nosed approach on both sides of the football. Newly hired head coach Brian Callahan aims to change the boring offensive narrative surrounding the Titans which includes maximizing the potential of the team's playmakers.
One of those playmakers that is in position to take a sizable step forward in 2024 is running back Tyjae Spears. Spears isn't getting a ton of love from the national media after playing in Derrick Henry's shadow in 2023, but has an exciting ceiling entering his second season in the league.
Spears quietly strung together a productive rookie campaign after the Titans selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Tulane product totaled 453 rushing yards (4.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while racking up 52 receptions for 385 yards and one score through the air.
His versatility out of the backfield gives Callahan an offense that caters to a much less predictable offense than Titans fans are used to. He has the speed to break free from defenders after making one cut and the shiftiness to find the hole up front and burst right through it.
These qualities are why CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani believes he is the Titans' under-the-radar candidate to shine in 2024.
From CBS Sports: I was nervous when it was reported right after he was drafted that Tyjae Spears was missing an ACL and already had arthritis, but he quickly won over coaches, teammates and fans alike in one season with the Titans. The Tulane kid rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns on 100 rushing attempts, and caught 52 passes for 385 yards and one score through the air. People don't realize that Spears' 838 scrimmage yards ranked No. 10 among all rookies.
Spears is a dual-threat weapon, and while Tony Pollard was brought in this offseason, head coach Brian Callahan has made it clear the second-year back is going to have a role in this offense.
Spears has a ceiling that most NFL evaluators dream of finding in the middle rounds of the draft. Titans fans got a taste of what Spears could provide last season, but he should thrive in an offense with a creative play-caller.
It remains to be seen exactly how Callahan will deploy the Titans backfield tandem of Spears and Pollard, but it's fair to expect the duo to force many missed tackles and create frustration for defensive coordinators across the NFL.
