Titans' Tony Pollard gaining offseason fantasy buzz

The Tennessee Titans have almost completed their offseason work, with only the team’s mandatory minicamp on the horizon, followed a few weeks later by training camp.

While the Titans have made some significant changes this offseason, running back Tony Pollard will return and once again take the majority of snaps in the backfield. While he isn’t flashy, he is a consistent back who will make an impact. This consistency and the improvements made during the offseason are some of the reasons that Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus picks Pollard as one of his “must draft’ players in fantasy circles heading into 2026.

Tony Pollard

Pollard is one of two running backs who have produced four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, finishing as a top-23 fantasy running back in each of those years across stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans.

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Most of Pollard’s rate stats have been average, but there are signs he is a very good running back held back by his situation. He has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per carry over the last four seasons, tied for fourth-best among running backs with at least 500 carries, behind only De’Von Achane, Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson. His 1.1 yards before contact per carry rank tied for fifth-worst over that span. He has also generated explosive plays at a high rate, earning a +1.0 run grade on 4.2% of his carries, eighth-best among running backs.

The good news is that Pollard is positioned to be Tennessee’s clear starter for a third straight season. The Titans passed on Jeremiyah Love with the fourth overall pick, and their only backfield additions were Michael Carter and fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton.

Pollard is one of two running backs who have produced four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, finishing as a top-23 fantasy running back in each of those years across stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans.

Most of Pollard’s rate stats have been average, but there are signs he is a very good running back held back by his situation. He has averaged 3.3 yards after contact per carry over the last four seasons, tied for fourth-best among running backs with at least 500 carries, behind only De’Von Achane, Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson. His 1.1 yards before contact per carry rank tied for fifth-worst over that span. He has also generated explosive plays at a high rate, earning a +1.0 run grade on 4.2% of his carries, eighth-best among running backs.

The good news is that Pollard is positioned to be Tennessee’s clear starter for a third straight season. The Titans passed on Jeremiyah Love with the fourth overall pick, and their only backfield additions were Michael Carter and fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton.

While the Titans added Carter and Singleton during the offseason, head coach Robert Saleh has made it clear that Pollard and Tyja Spears will be the primary backs heading into the season. This should be great news for fantasy owners who could land a quality under-the-radar back in their upcoming drafts.