Tennessee returns Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears to an offense that ranked just 30th in rushing yards and 28th in total RB PPR points last season. The Titans added RB Nicholas Singleton out of Penn State in Round 5. So how should we expect that trio to fit together in the first season under HC Robert Saleh and OC Brian Daboll?
What They're Saying: Some Doubt for Spears
Here's what longtime Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky had to say on his podcast this week:
"I don't think [Tyjae Spears is] a capable between-the-tackles runner, so I think if Pollard went down, it would be tough for Spears to become your No. 1 most-down running back. He’s looked spectacular on screens and dump-offs. I think Tyjae is the changeup back, and I think he’s the best changeup back on the roster. I think Singleton’s place to take away carries is from Pollard, more as a first- and second-down back. And that depends on what Pollard’s doing. … Pollard doesn’t have a second gear anymore, you know? ... I don't know where Singleton wiggles into this or where he gets his chances, and I think it'd be a while before he gets them."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Meh Situation, Modest Values
Let's start with Pollard vs. Spears. Both guys averaged 2.6 yards before contact per carry last season, according to Pro Football Reference, but Pollard broke a tackle every 15.1 carries vs. 18.0 for Spears. He also led 1.8 to 1.3 in yards after contact per attempt.
That all supports Pollard as a better inside runner than Spears ... in 2025.
Here's how they compared in those same categories for 2024:
| Player | YBC/carry | Car/BrTkl | YAC/att |
| Pollard | 2.0 | 11.8 | 2.1 |
| Spears | 1.5 | 6.5 | 2.2 |
That points to Spears running better through and beyond contact in 2024. At the least, there's no clear advantage for either guy over the other.
Singleton, meanwhile, trailed well behind Penn State teammate Kaytron Allen across rushing categories in their shared final season (according to Pro Football Focus):
| Player | Yds/att | YAC/att | MisTackForced/att |
| Singleton | 4.4 | 3.77 | 0.15 |
| Allen | 6.2 | 2.69 | 0.27 |
Singleton fared better as a receiver in college but runs into a strength of Spears' there. Spears led all Titans with 3.5 receptions per game last season and leads Pollard 6.5 to 6.0 in yards per catch across their two shared seasons.
Pollard sits highest among Titans in our RB rankings across formats but no higher than 27th in any of those sets. There's also decline risk as he hits his age-29 season. Our aging-curve data finds all RB buckets historically dipping to 82% of peak production or worse in that year.
If Pollard falters or gets hurt, Spears would likely lead this backfield in touches. Whether he would assume Pollard's full rushing share remains to be seen. And we'll also see whether Michael Carter, 2025 rookie Kalel Mullings, or any other RB works his way into the 2026 mix.
For now, Pollard looks fine at ADP, while Spears and Singleton both fit as low-risk, late-round stashes.
Tennessee's rush offense remains unexciting overall. An O-line that holds two unsettled spots and has management considering further additions doesn't help.
