Tyjae Spears Complete NFL Draft Profile (Tulane Running Back Plays Bigger Than Frame Suggests)

Tulane running back Tyjae Spears is eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft following his standout season in 2022. A reigning AAC Offensive Player of the Year, Spears contributed one massive play after another for the Green Wave and could hear his name called as early as the third round at the end of April.

Here's everything you need to know about Tyjae Spears heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tyjae Spears Draft Stock & Mock Draft Projections

Mock draft sources accurate as of 4/24: NFL.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, Walter Football, Sporting News.

Projected Draft Round: Round 3 (2), Round 4 (2), Round 6 (1)
Projected Team: Saints (2), Commanders (2), Giants (1)

Tyjae Spears Scouting Report

Spears ended up making a lasting impact for the Tulane Green Wave. He appeared in three games as a freshman, logging 325 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns. Spears then started the first three games in 2020 (304 total yards & 2 touchdowns), but missed the rest of the year with a torn ACL.

The Louisiana native took things to another level in 2021, tallying 1,008 total yards to go along with 9 touchdowns. As if that wasn't enough, Spears racked up 1,837 total yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season in 2022. Not surprisingly, he was named AAC Offensive Player of the Year as a result.

Highlighted strengths of Spears' game focus on his decisiveness. The Tulane standout runs with a purpose and possesses great vision in zone as well as gap schemes. He isn't a huge back, but he has been praised for his ability to battle through contact and pick up a few extra yards at the end of a run.

Spears is not a prospect without flaws, though. He lines up as a complementary back at the next level but didn't post a ton of receiving production at Tulane. Refining his route-running capabilities and pass-catching skills would go a long way in helping him find his footing in an NFL backfield.

Tyjae Spears NFL Draft Prediction

Spears is someone who could diversify a backfield and provide a spark as a running back that plays bigger than his frame suggests. He had a knack for bursting through even the smallest of holes for big gains in college, which suggests he has the speed to outrun at least the first level of defenders.

The Bengals line up as a great landing spot for Spears given the current lack of RB depth behind Joe Mixon. Samaje Perine departed in free agency, leaving Cincinnati with Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans as the complementary options. They have combined for 568 yards from scrimmage in the NFL.

Spears could be utilized as a rusher when Mixon is in need of a break and as a receiver on obvious passing downs. His upside could lead to a more prominent role down the road, too, which is never a bad thing. Selecting Spears is projected to cost the Bengals a third- or fourth-round draft selection.

Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (Round 3, 92nd overall)

Check out more NFL Draft content from The Duel:

Tyjae Spears NFL Combine Results

Tyjae Spears Tulane Stats

Tyjae Spears Tulane Highlights

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.