Tony Pollard

Tony Pollard

27-Year-Old Running BackRB
Tennessee Titans
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Leaving Dallas for Tennessee might seem like a downgrade for Pollard, especially given how bare the Cowboys' depth chart is at running back, but last year showed that more volume doesn't always equate to increased production. Pollard's 2023 was one memorable refutation of the otherwise good general rule that added volume is beneficial for fantasy. He set career highs in carries (252) and targets (67), yet finished with slightly fewer yards and half as many touchdowns as he had on 193 carries and 55 targets the year prior. Keeping Pollard's workload around the 200-carry mark might be the best way to preserve his explosiveness, so sharing the Tennessee backfield with 2023 third-round pick Tyjae Spears isn't necessarily the worst thing. It does create some doubt about the nature of their respective roles, as neither is an obvious fit for goal-line/short-yardage work and both are above average as pass catchers. The Titans seemingly intend to abandon the run-heavy approach of past seasons after hiring former Bengals OC Brian Callahan as head coach and signing WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to help second-year quarterback Will Levis. They also signed a new center, Lloyd Cushenberry, and drafted OT JC Latham seventh overall, potentially setting up Pollard and Spears with better blocking than Derrick Henry had in his final year with Tennessee. The biggest questions now are how work will be split between the two RBs and whether Levis is good enough to keep the remade offense moving. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#84.48
ADP
$Signed a three-year, $21.75 million contract with the Titans in March of 2024.
Another hefty workload Sunday
RBTennessee Titans
September 15, 2024
Pollard rushed 17 times for 62 yards and secured five of six targets for 40 yards in the Titans' 24-17 loss to the Jets on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Pollard once again was the clear lead back for the Titans' ground attack, although the fact backfield mate Tyjae Spears exited the game in the second half with an ankle injury, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official site, certainly helped lock in that standing. Nevertheless, Pollard has been the clear-cut top option through two games when both backs have been healthy, and his involvement as a pass catcher (10 total targets) has been very encouraging. Pollard next takes aim at the Packers' suspect run defense in a Week 3 home matchup.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Tony Pollard's 2024 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Broken Tackle %
    The number of broken tackles divided by rush attempts.
  • Positive Run %
    The percentage of run plays where he was able to gain positive yardage.
  • % Yds After Contact
    The percentage of his rushing yards that came after contact.
  • Avg Yds After Contact
    The average rushing yards he gains after contact.
  • Rushing TD %
    Rushing touchdowns divided by rushing attempts. In other words, how often is he scoring when running the ball.
  • Touches Per Game
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) he is averaging per game
  • % Snaps w/Touch
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) divided by offensive snaps played.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Broken Tackle %
6.3%
 
Positive Run %
81.3%
 
% Yds After Contact
56.1%
 
Avg Yds After Contact
2.9
 
Rushing TD %
6.3%
 
Touches Per Game
19.0
 
% Snaps w/Touch
24.1%
 
Air Yards Per Game
-1.0
 
Air Yards Per Snap
-0.01
 
% Team Air Yards
-0.5%
 
% Team Targets
13.8%
 
Avg Depth of Target
-0.3 Yds
 
Catch Rate
30.0%
 
Drop Rate
10.0%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
3.0
 
% Targeted On Route
58.8%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
3.06
 
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2024
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Tennessee TitansTitans 2024 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

7965%
4638%
11%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Tony Pollard lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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This Week's Opposing Pass Defense
How does the Jets pass defense compare to other NFL teams this season?
The bars represents the team's percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
NYJ
vs Jets
Sunday, Sep 15th at 1:00PM
Overall QB Rating Against
89.4
 
Cornerbacks
74.3
 
Safeties
118.8
 
Linebackers
74.8
 
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2024 Tony Pollard Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Tony Pollard's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 0"
 
Weight
215 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.52 sec
 
Vertical Jump
35.0 in
 
Broad Jump
121 in
 
Bench Press
13 reps
 
Hand Length
9.50 in
 
Arm Length
30.00 in
 
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Pollard played as the 1B to Ezekiel Elliott for most of the last two years, but Elliott is gone and Ronald Jones is not a convincing 1:1 replacement. If Jones and Malik Davis are the next two runners on the Dallas depth chart then it would almost necessarily require an increased workload from Pollard, whose 193 carries, 55 targets and 543 snaps in 2022 were all career highs. With that said, Pollard probably can't pick up more than a little of Elliott's previous workload. At under 210 pounds and built somewhat thin at 6-feet tall, Pollard may not have the frame for big-time carry volume and has never previously been tasked with that type of role for more than a week or two at a time (dating back to high school). It might be best for his efficiency and durability to use him more like Alvin Kamara – a 12-carry, five-catch sort of back rather than the 20-carry, three-catch sort that Elliott was – but what's clear in the meantime is that Pollard should have good efficiency with whatever level of usage he sees. He has seemingly turned a corner as a receiver, producing around or above 7.0 yards per target the last two years after hovering around 5.0 YPT his first two seasons, and at all points in his career Pollard has been explosive as a runner.
In his third NFL season, Pollard topped 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time as his workload increased without negatively impacting his per-touch efficiency. The Memphis product is a big- play threat, showing elite burst and speed and above-average receiving skills, and despite being slightly undersized he's proven he can gain yards between the tackles. Along with Seattle's Rashaad Penny, Pollard was one of only two backs in the league last year to finish top five in both yards before contact per carry and yards after contact per carry, demonstrating he didn't always need help from his offensive line to make an impact. That's probably a good thing, as the Cowboys added new starters at left guard and right tackle this offseason to a unit that has seen better days (though it still has Tyron Smith at LT and Zack Martin at RG). Ezekiel Elliott remains the starter, with his contract guaranteed through this year, but he already appears on the downside of his career at 26. Pollard is on the final year of his rookie deal, and another big year on a per-touch basis — perhaps with another bump in volume as well — should line him up for a big payday next offseason.
Heading into his third NFL campaign, Pollard remains at the top of the 'What If?" list among running backs. As the backup to a workhorse like Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard's only chances for big performances come when Zeke is banged up or the Cowboys are blowing out the opposition, and there were no such opportunities in the latter category in 2020. Pollard did start Week 15 against the 49ers with Elliott on the sidelines though, and he turned just 18 touches into 132 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. The Memphis product has breakaway speed in the open field while flashing the toughness and burst necessary to gain yards between the tackles. He's also proven to be more than adequate as a pass catcher, and while he came into the league as a liability in pass protection, Pollard has shown enough improvement in that area to earn the trust of the coaching staff and see some work on third downs. Elliott's massive contract, and accompanying cap hit, probably lock him into the top spot on the depth chart through 2022. Barring a serious injury to Elliott, Pollard may have to make do with single-digit touches most weeks, despite his clear upside should he ever secure the lead role.
Selected in the fourth round of last year's draft, Pollard wasn't expected to be much more than a gadget player while stuck behind Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie quickly proved he could make a big impact when he got the chance, erupting for 128 yards and a touchdown on only 16 touches Week 3 against the Dolphins. He later topped that performance Week 15 against the Rams, piling up 143 yards and a score on 14 touches. Those two games accounted for more than half his rushing yards for the season, however, as he saw six touches or fewer in half of the Cowboys' games. Pollard's blend of speed, elusiveness and surprising power made him tough to bring down, and among backs who got at least 80 carries last season, he led the league with 3.6 yards per carry after contact. He also flashed some ability as a receiver, increasing the ways in which offensive coordinator Kellen Moore could get him involved. As long as Elliott is healthy, Pollard doesn't figure to take many carries, but the second-year pro is at least capable of efficient production when game flow works in his favor.
Selected in the fourth round out of Memphis, Pollard ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day and has a golden opportunity to win the No. 2 RB job in Dallas given the lack of an established backup behind Ezekiel Elliott, who is holding out for a new contract. Pollard's college resume suggests he's a better fit as a return man and gadget player than a full-time running back, however, and he may be a bigger threat to Tavon Austin's roster spot than a true handcuff for Zeke. Still, if he shows his big-play potential in the preseason, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may try to find ways to get the ball in his hands.
More Fantasy News
Clearly leads TEN backfield
RBTennessee Titans
September 8, 2024
Pollard rushed the ball 16 times for 82 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Bears. He added three receptions on four targets for 12 yards.
ANALYSIS
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Still looking at split backfield
RBTennessee Titans
September 6, 2024
Pollard is expected to split time evenly with Tyjae Spears to begin the season, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Scores TD in preseason finale
RBTennessee Titans
August 25, 2024
Pollard rushed five times for 17 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 30-27 preseason win over the Saints.
ANALYSIS
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Leads backfield in debut with TEN
RBTennessee Titans
August 10, 2024
Pollard rushed four times for 35 yards and a caught both of his targets for 11 yards in Saturday's 17-13 win over the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
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Interchangeable with Spears
RBTennessee Titans
July 23, 2024
Titans coach Brian Callahan said Tuesday he doesn't view either Pollard or Tyjae Spears as the clear-cut starter in the backfield, Jim Wyatt of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Set to split work
RBTennessee Titans
July 23, 2024
Coach Brian Callahan said he doesn't view Pollard or Tyjae Spears as the starting running back entering the 2024 season, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pollard joined the Titans on a three-year deal worth up to $21.8 million this offseason, though he's coming off the most inefficient campaign of his career in 2023. He was also tasked with his heaviest workload last year, tallying 307 total touches during the regular season after never surpassing 232 in any season prior. Spears proved to be a viable change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry as a rookie, so the Titans will seemingly split work evenly between the duo to maximize each player's health and efficiency.
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