Leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, all the hype surrounding the Tennessee Titans was about Jeremiyah Love. Many analysts and insiders saw Love as an ideal fit for the young roster, but ultimately GM Mike Borgonzi waited until Day 3 to address the position by selecting Penn State running back Nick Singleton.
It's easy to understand why the Titans drafted Singleton with the 165th overall pick. Shown by his four years as a starter at Penn State, he is a superior athlete with tremendous upside as a running back. Once he finds a lane upfield, his burner speed makes it tough for defenders to track him down, evidenced by his 4.35-second 40-yard dash in 2024. His nifty jukes and the occasional spin move highlight his elusiveness in open field.
Singleton also brings an above-average skill set as a third-down back. He is an elite route runner out of the backfield, and is obviously dangerous once in open space. Grabbing another security blanket for Cam Ward was certainly on the front office's mind when they made this pick, and for fifth round value, it can't help but feel like a steal.
One major issue is holding Nicholas Singleton back from developing into a Tennessee Titans star
If all of Singleton's athletic traits are off the charts, then why was he still on the board in the fifth round? His biggest issue holding him back as a runner is his ball-carrier vision. Singleton struggles to identify and burst through running lanes, mostly on runs involving pulling concepts. This problem caused him to leave a ton of yards out on the field, and resulted in tackles for loss.
Being a four-year starter may sound like a huge plus, but it's not as great as it seems. An NFL running back's career span tends to be shorter than other positions, so Singleton's four years don't create the most optimistic outlook. The former Nittany Lion is also coming off a broken foot he sustained at the 2026 Senior Bowl, one more note that could potentially scare Titans fans.
With all that said, could Singleton be the future of the Titans backfield?
At this point, it's hard to tell. The Titans are clearly betting on Singleton's athleticism and pass-catching ability, and hoping coaching can improve the rough patches of his game. If the coaching can sharpen his vision and emphasize patience in identifying running lanes, then Singleton could potentially become a three-down back.
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