As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Tyjae Spears.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tyjae Spears (RB – Tulane)
5’11” – 195 lbs.
Background:
Played sparingly in his first two seasons, touching the ball a total of 76 times (69 rushes) and ending up with 629 total yards and four scores in his freshman and sophomore seasons combined, then split carries with Cameron Carroll and put together a 129-863-9 (6.7) line on the ground, adding 19 catches. Was the team’s feature back this season, with an incredible year of 229-1,581-19 (6.9) and 22-256-2 through the air.
Positives:
Had an outstanding senior campaign and was always a highly-efficient player in school, operating in an offense that featured both gap and zone principles. Runs with good knee bend and a low center of gravity. Has quick feet and makes clean cuts in the backfield. Makes solid decisions, showing good vision and patience. Possesses good burst in the hole and wastes little time hitting the line when the blocking is there. Smooth accelerator on outside rushing attempts, with above-average top-end speed. Very flexible, elusive player in space; difficult to bring down in one-on-one situations when he gets to the outside/second level, making sharp cuts and showing impressive stop/start skills. Able to run through some arm tackles once he gets going. Doesn’t break a ton of tackles, but tends to fall forward at the end of runs. Finished well near the goal line this past season. Ball security is good, with just three career fumbles.
Negatives:
On the smaller side for a pro running back and will likely end up in a committee. Not going to break many tackles, and can deliver some thudding contact when he has a head of steam but isn’t really going to wear down defenders too much with his power. Dropped four passes against forty-eight career catches, and doesn’t present the biggest target in the passing game. Was an adequate pass protector in school, but may struggle with contact balance when working in blitz pickup at the next level.
Summary:
Had some of the most impressive, exciting tape of any back in the class last season, showing solid vision, nice cuts, impressive agility and suddenness in space, and decisive running that could make him a solid change-of-pace back at the next level, and potentially even a third-down back if he continues to add the functional strength to work in blitz pickup. Will probably end up coming off the board relatively early on the third day after a monster year.
Projection: Round 4
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