Tony Pollard had a real opportunity to break out in 2023 as the starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys, and after a so-so year has landed at the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Pollard was a frustrating player for fantasy managers as he consistently got stopped on the one-yard line, was one of the least impressive weapons on the high-scoring Cowboys, and was mostly taken in the first two rounds in drafts.
Pollard had a leg fracture in early 2023, and coming back off that takes some time, as was evident last season. So while he could be more explosive this year, there is always a worry that he might not get it back.
The Titans are making widespread changes, and with Mike Vrabel and Derrick Henry gone, it’s a new era in Tennessee. This feels like a more balanced offense that will look to air the ball out more than it has in recent years.
With Tyjae Spears a very capable back looking to challenge for the starting role, Pollard is a risky pick in NFL fantasy. Making matters worse is that when asked who would get the majority of snaps, HC Brian Callahan described the running backs to the media as “interchangeable.”
With that in mind, Pollard feels like a high-risk, low-reward option and should only be picked up in the middle rounds as an RB2/flex option. It seems a better investment to avoid him altogether, take Tyjae Spears in the later rounds as a bench stash, and wait to see how the situation in Tennessee plays out.
Tony Pollard’s 2024 NFL fantasy outlook: What numbers to expect from the Titans RB?
This is a tough one, as Tennessee appears ready to use a run-by-committee approach and pass the ball more than they have in previous years. Tony Pollard is not Derrick Henry, and will not be getting anything like the workload you’d see Henry taking on every Sunday.
Presuming Pollard is the starting RB all season, if the Titans are to split carries, the prevailing theory is that Pollard gets at least the majority of the red zone snaps. Last season, Pollard totaled 1,005 yards and 6 TDs on the ground, as well as 311 yards receiving.
This feels like a good baseline of what he could achieve in 2024, presuming he manages to hold on to the starting role. While Pollard could go above that in a new system, he could fall far below that mark and it is very risky to gamble on him.
Other fantasy outlooks for running backs: Bijan Robinson, Aaron Jones, Najee Harris & Josh Jacobs.