Tyjae Spears 2023 NFL Draft Profile: Fantasy Football scouting; Dynasty outlook, scouting report and more

Tyjae Spears has drawn the dreaded change of pace running back label from some, and at 5-9 and 201 pounds, I can understand that, but I can’t agree with it. Watching Spears’ tape it’s impossible to come away with the idea that he can only be used as a spell back. Instead, I am reminded of a player he profiles very similarly too from a frame standpoint and in some ways from a stylistic play standpoint — Packers running back Aaron Jones. Prior to Green Bay drafting A.J. Dillon, Jones earned a bigger workload than expected when he was drafted on Day 3 and he more than proved he could handle it while remaining just as impactful as both a runner and receiver.

Spears surprised some when he operated as a true workhorse back in 2022 and the clear focal point of Tulane’s turnaround (and for their program a breakout) 2022 season. He racked up 1,586 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. A ridiculous amount of Spears’ rushing yards came after contact — 1,052 to be exact, per PFF. Spears’ ability to create yards after contact is his trump card trait when projecting his game to the NFL level. Watching Spears on film you’ll routinely see defenders fall off Spears’ legs on tackle attempts because he almost always wins the leverage battle and both his contact balance and lower-body strength make him hard to tackle. Spears also runs violently like every carry is his last — this is another reason why he is such a dominant yards after contact runner.

However, Spears’ defining trait is not the only trump card he has. His acceleration combined with his straight-line speed makes him a home run hitter as well. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry with 31 touchdowns at the collegiate level. In addition to the acceleration, Spears brings elusiveness to the open field via his change of direction skills. These traits also project to Spears earning a role as a receiver at the next level and becoming a useful starter on PPR rosters.

Age as of Week 1: 21 | Height: 5-foot-9 | Weight: 201 | 40-time: 4.47 *At Pro Day

Comparable body-type to: Aaron Jones

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about Spears from a Fantasy manager perspective, including best fits, Dynasty outlook, measurables, scouting report, key stats and an NFL comparison.

Best Fantasy Fits

Texans

This is an odd fit from a personnel standpoint, so I hope I don’t lose you, but the schematic fit strikes me here. Sure, the Texans just signed Devin Singletary and drafted Dameon Pierce last April, but Spears would bring a different element to the run game,  and as much as I love Pierce, I think Spears would emerge fast as Houston’s best running back (and possibly their best skill position player on the field). He projects best to a predominantly zone blocking scheme and new Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik arrives in Houston after years working under Kyle Shanahan’s tutelage. We can expect an outside zone run scheme here. I also like the fit because Houston has done a lot to upgrade its run blocking. They used first-round draft capital last year on an interior offensive linemen, they have locked up elite left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and traded for Shaq Mason this offseason, maybe the most underrated move by any team this offseason. 

Cowboys

Dallas slapped Tony Pollard with the franchise tag but he is coming off a major injury that may render him a different player when he returns, at least at first, and regardless he will not be returning as a workhorse. I like the idea of adding a spark plug similar to what Pollard was as a rookie to the backfield in Spears. As I mentioned earlier, he’s a fit for any run blocking scheme so I think he’ll fit in fast behind a diverse Dallas blocking scheme. The Cowboys have done well to continue upgrading their offensive line,  and Spears will immediately provide a spark plug in the pass game for one of the fastest processing quarterbacks in the NFL in Dak Prescott. In other words, Prescott will move to the check down read often and Spears will then be able to showcase his ability as a receiver in the open field.

Dolphins

Miami offers another outside zone blocking scheme for Spears under Mike McDaniel. Although the Dolphins brought back both their lead backs from 2022 in Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert, both players are on the older side for running backs (27 and 31) and both were injured at times throughout 2022. Spears would have an excellent opportunity here to join one of the most productive offenses last season when Tua Tagovailoa was healthy.

Dynasty outlook

Spears’ Dynasty value is a bit all over the place at the moment. In our rookie-only two-round mock draft for CBS Sports, I selected Spears at the top of Round 2. That is in large part due to my evaluation on Spears, but also because I think NFL teams will make him a top-60 pick in this class. Spears will live in the second round of rookie drafts before the 2023 NFL Draft and has the opportunity to rise to the back-end of Round 1 if he lands in the perfect spot.

Scouting report

Strengths

• Spears saved some of his best work for the jump in competition (Tulane’s bowl game against Power 5 team USC). Despite playing behind an offensive line that was outmatched from both a pure size and skill standpoint vs. the USC defensive front, Spears racked up 205 total yards and four rushing touchdowns — almost single-handedly willing Tulane to a 46-45 win.
• Tulane mixed in both zone blocking and power/gap blocking concepts almost evenly so Spears has experience that can translate to any NFL blocking scheme. Having said that, his patience and burst make him a perfect fit for a zone blocking scheme at the next level.
• Patience is excellent with Spears — he’ll set up his runs because he has full confidence in his acceleration and ability to get through any crease.
• Spears runs with a violent nature — he’s determined on every run to hit his landmark, crease a run for a big gain or create the most he can after contact. He wants to get vertical and attack the defense.
• Spears’ lower-body flexibility — specifically his ankle flexion — allows him to make exceptional cuts in the open field, changing direction and then coupling that with his short-area burst. This makes him dynamic in the open field.
• Incredibly productive at the collegiate level — averaged 7.0 yards per carry on 1,359 rushing yards in 2022.
• Explosive athlete — as evidenced by his elite postings in the vertical and broad jumps at the combine and you see it on tape when he’s in space or trying to get through a crease. Spears posted 91st and 87th percentile vertical and broad jumps.
• Spears looks natural as a receiver out of the backfield and his 92nd percentile hand size bodes well for him to be a sure-handed receiving back at the next level.
• Ball security is better than expected for a smaller back with just three fumbles in his collegiate career and that includes the 2022 season where he operated in a workhorse role.
• Didn’t run much of the route tree on tape, but at the Senior Bowl, Spears was dominant in the one-on-one drills at creating separation, which presents a high-upside receiving profile if he joins the right system in the NFL.

Concerns

• While competitive in pass protection at Tulane, the jump to the NFL level is somewhat concerning. Can he pass protect at the NFL level? If not, he’ll never be a three-down back. 
• Size is an issue for Spears at just 5-9 and 200 pounds — can he hold up with a similar workload to the one he had at Tulane?
• Big jump in the competition going from Tulane to the NFL. 
• While Spears is excellent at shaking off leg tackles and creating after contact, he is not the fall-forward runner who will get low and push a pile forward.
• Spears doesn’t have a clean injury profile. He suffered a torn ACL in 2020.

Stats breakdown

Advanced stats to know

• Racked up a 90+ overall rushing grade from PFF in 2022.
• 63 forced missed tackles in 2022.
• 4.55 yards after contact per attempt average. Some backs don’t even average that YPC overall.

NFL comparison

Spears reminds me a lot of Aaron Jones both in his frame/build and in his style. He’s patient but violent in how he runs the football. He may not have the same kind of receiving profile as Jones based on his college film, but all you have to do is throw on a bit of his Senior Bowl practice tape to see him torching linebackers in one-on-ones in the pass game. The right coach can unlock his receiving profile and then he can become a Fantasy stalwart as Jones has.