Tyjae Spears

Tyjae Spears enters the 2026 fantasy football season as a volatile but intriguing option, because his value still depends heavily on role rather than pure talent. He has shown he can be useful both as a runner and as a pass catcher, but the Titans’ backfield has remained split, and PFF noted that Spears likely needed to beat out Tony Pollard for the starting job to become a consistent fantasy starter in 2025.

The biggest story for Spears is health. Recent reports from the 2025 preseason said he was dealing with a sprained ankle, was expected to miss time, and was even placed on injured reserve with a return designation, which meant he would miss at least four games and likely need extra time to get back to full strength. That history matters for 2026 because it reinforces the risk that his fantasy season could start slowly or be interrupted again if the Titans manage his workload cautiously.

From a fantasy perspective, Spears still has real upside if the depth chart opens up. PFF highlighted that he flashed more late in 2024 when Pollard was banged up, and that Tennessee retained both backs while adding only a sixth-round rookie, suggesting the team was still open to a committee but could lean more heavily on Spears if he earns it. His receiving ability gives him a higher weekly floor in PPR formats than many committee backs, but that floor rises meaningfully only if he gets more snaps and third-down work.

For 2026 drafts, Spears looks best as a mid-round upside pick rather than a locked-in starter. If Pollard remains healthy and the Titans keep the backfield split, Spears is more of a flex play with occasional spike weeks; if Pollard misses time or Spears wins the larger share, his receiving profile makes him a much more attractive fantasy asset. In friendly terms: Spears is worth drafting, but he is still the kind of player you want as part of a strong running back room rather than the foundation of it.

Updated 06/08/2026