Tennessee Titans sophomore running back Tyjae Spears will have more opportunities in 2024. With Derrick Henry no longer on the team, Spears has a chance to be their most effective ball-carrier. A breakout campaign is within the realm of possibility.
Spears was more efficient than Henry last season. The No. 81 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Spears averaged a team-high 4.5 yards per carry, whereas Henry's output was 4.2 yards per carry. Spears concluded his rookie campaign with 100 carries for 453 yards and two touchdowns. The dual-threat playmaker added 52 catches for 385 yards and one additional touchdown to his offensive totals. Spears finished third on the Titans in receptions.
95 seconds of Tyjae Spears making dudes miss pic.twitter.com/qw26A2eyG1
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 15, 2024
The advanced stats were equally as impressive. Spears forced 26 missed tackles throughout the season, according to Pro Football Focus. He averaged a healthy 3.15 yards after contact per attempt. Spears also accounted for 13 explosive (10-plus yards) runs despite being stuck behind a workhorse like Henry.
Henry joined the Baltimore Ravens in free agency earlier this offseason and was replaced in Tennessee when the Titans signed free-agent running back Tony Pollard to a three-year contract worth $21.7 million. Pollard will be heavily involved in the offense based on the lucrative deal he signed, but he isn't going to replicate Henry's workload, which approached 300 carries last season. Spears will undoubtedly receive more opportunities than he did as Henry's backup. Both Spears and Pollard are going to be considered starters in Tennessee's new-look backfield.
Former head coach Mike Vrabel was a Henry truther. New head coach Brian Callahan is installing a more pass-happy offense that expects its backfield to keep opposing defenses stretched and on their toes. Sophomore quarterback Will Levis has weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd at his disposal. Spears should face significantly lighter boxes than he did when Henry was the main focus of defensive coordinators.
The offensive line appears drastically improved. General manager Ran Carthon utilized the No. 7 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on JC Latham. Latham is going to play left tackle, a position that's been a massive sore spot for the Titans over the past two campaigns.
Sophomore left guard Peter Skoronski is expected to take a progressive step forward. The Titans paid a premium to upgrade the center spot as well. Lloyd Cushenberry III joined the fray via a four-year, $50 million deal.
Right guard and right tackle remain questionable and concerning, but they'll be coached by legendary offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who joined his son Brian Callahan in Tennessee. Bill Callahan is expected to get this offensive line going. Spears will take advantage of larger rushing lanes.
Spears flashed high-level playmaking ability as a rookie last season. The offense underwent sweeping changes in personnel and philosophy this offseason, making the Titans confident enough to let Henry walk in free agency. Pollard will play a big role in the offense as well, but it wouldn't be surprising if Spears was Tennessee's most effective ball-carrier in 2024.