Could Tennessee Titans rookie running back Nicholas Singleton emerge as an unexpected standout during the 2026 NFL season? With the team searching for more talent to build around 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward, seeing the former Penn State standout rise would be a welcome development on offense.
NFL Mocks’ NFL Rookie Running Back Evolution makes a stop in Nashville, where we look at how the No. 165 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft could become much more than an RB3 on the Titans’ depth chart.
Nicholas Singleton enters the NFL with something to prove
With much of the attention surrounding the first two running backs selected in the draft, former Notre Dame standouts Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, Singleton entered the NFL somewhat under the radar. That was also the case during his final season at Penn State, where Kaytron Allen's breakout season shifted some of the spotlight away from Singleton during an otherwise disappointing season for the Nittany Lions.
Still, Singleton displayed elite athletic ability as a decisive downhill runner who uses his combination of size and power to find holes and bulldoze through defenders. In 12 games during his final season at Penn State, Singleton rushed for 549 yards and 13 touchdowns while sharing the backfield with Allen.
But in the right situation, can he become the player he was in 2024, when he totaled 1,474 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns over 15 games?
The fifth-round pick impressed during training camp, showing off the traits that made him a running back prospect to watch during his Penn State career.
"Personality-wise, he fits the culture that we are trying to build around here," Titans running backs coach Randy Jordan said of Singleton, via the team's official site. "He is all about work, all about football. He has a very serious demeanor.
"In terms of what I've seen athletically, he has the ability to find green grass. He's a patient runner, and it's almost like he has a rocket on his back when he hits it. Downhill, physical presence. I am excited to see what he can do when you actually have to tackle him."
Nicholas Singleton could quickly outgrow his RB3 role
Singleton has also shown during the preseason that his skill set can translate to a larger workload. In Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, the Titans rookie rushed for 31 yards on eight attempts in a 19-13 victory.
A foot and ankle injury concern kept him out of Tennessee's second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, but what Singleton has already shown in training camp and preseason action should create some intrigue about his potential role once the regular season begins.
Singleton's value isn't limited to what he can do as a runner. His athleticism and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could make him another weapon for Ward, who has also raved about what the rookie brings to the roster as both a teammate and playmaker.
"He is real explosive," Ward said. "He is a patient runner, he sees the gap and he hits it hard, and he's a great teammate. He's not a rah-rah guy, but every time he steps on the field, he has the right mindset. He is capable of being a great player for us. He is getting way better at the protection scheme of the pass game.
"When his number is called, he is going to be sure to do what he does."
The evolution of Nicholas Singleton starts with opportunity
Singleton is expected to open the season behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, but that doesn't mean he'll stay there. With both veterans entering the final year of their contracts, the Penn State product will have an opportunity to prove he can become a bigger part of Tennessee's backfield beyond 2026.
The first step in Singleton's evolution will be turning his flashes from training camp and the preseason into regular-season opportunities. If he does, the Titans may have found much more than an RB3 with the No. 165 pick.
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