Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Could Titans Target A Running Back In Draft?
NASHVILLE - Much has been made lately about the potential end of the line for Derrick Henry with the Tennessee Titans. Trade rumors have swirled about this off-season as Henry is set to enter the final season of his current contract, though it seems, at least at this point, that he will remain for at least one more season.
Past Henry, the Titans running back room is almost as awe-inspiring as their receiver room. Second-year running back Hassan Haskins is the biggest name among them, as the former Michigan standout posted 25 carries during his rookie campaign for a whopping 93 yards, an average of 3.7 yards per carry.
Undrafted rookie Julius Chestnut won the eye of the coaching staff last season and, against the odds, found a place on the roster and saw action in 2022. Chestnut received nine carries for 12 yards for the season, averaging 1.3 yards per attempt.
Entering his third NFL season, Jonathan Ward is currently on the Titans roster, having been signed after his release by Arizona. In three games with the Titans last season, Ward carried five times for 25 yards, good for 5.0 yards per carry.
For his career, Ward has played in 35 games and has 14 carries for 58 yards.
Combined, these three backs have rushed for 163 yards and zero touchdowns.
Given that lack of production behind Henry, it seems possible that the Titans could look to add a versatile, third-down type back in the coming draft.
Bijan Robinson is the consensus No.1 back in this class and a likely round-one pick. It's unlikely the Titans will be looking at him in the opening round. Likewise with Jahmyr Gibbs, who could go in the first, but more realistically in the second.
If Gibbs were to be there at No.41 when the Titans select in round two, he could be a consideration, though his limitations would keep me away from him.
Then there is a group of three backs who intrigue me and would be worth a draft pick, perhaps at No. 41 if no receivers are worthy of that position remaining or at No.72 in round three.
Tulane's Tyjae Spears, Texas A&M's Devon Achane, and UCLA's Zach Charbonnet.
Tyjae Spears
Spears has been a fast riser through this draft process, partly aided by his work at the Senior Bowl.
Though a smaller back (5'11", 195 lbs), the Louisiana native put up impressive numbers for Tulane in 2022. Spears ran the football 229 times, gaining 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns. He averaged 6.9 yards per rush. In addition to his running, he also added 22 receptions for 256 yards and two scores. Spears
Spears has reportedly been timed at 4.56 in the forty-yard dash, though not at the combine.
Tyjae Spears
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Devon Achane
Achane turned the fastest forty of any running back at the combine, scorching the field with a 4.32. Though his size (5'9", 188lbs) is an issue, his speed and versatility make him one to watch.
In his final season with the Aggies, Achane carried 196 times for 1,102 yards, eight touchdowns, 36 receptions for 196 yards, and three more scores. He managed those numbers on an offense that struggled mightily last season.
In perspective, the 2022 Aggies leading passer threw for 1,220 yards, and the three quarterbacks they used combined for just 2,633 yards passing for the season.
Devon Achane
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Charbonnet
Perhaps the most intriguing of the three, Charbonnet blends size (6'1", 214 lbs), power, and speed (4.53 forty) together to build a complete back that can and enjoys pounding the football between the tackles but still can turn the corner.
As a senior, the Bruins back carried the football 195 times for 1.359 yards and 14 touchdowns. He added 37 receptions for 321 yards, an average of 8.7 yards per reception.
Zach Charbonnet
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Where To Take Them
As the buzz around Spears has grown, the chance of him lasting into the third round seems unlikely, but there is a chance that Achane and Charbonnet could be there when the Titans go on the clock at No.72 in round three.
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