Kalel Mullings

Mullings was a nonfactor as a receiver at Michigan (8-67-0 on 14 targets). He is raw and could struggle as a receiver, and to take on a bigger workload he must refine his pass-catching skills and route-running.

Mullings is firmly buried behind Tony Pollard (1,079 rushing yards in 2024) and Tyjae Spears on the depth chart with minimal rookie-season involvement (only 3 carries for 7 yards in 2025). He's competing for a backup role that offers no clear path to touches.

The Titans hold the No. 4 overall pick in the April 23 draft and are strongly linked to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love (unanimous All-American, 4.36 speed). If Love lands in Tennessee, Mullings becomes RB4 with a near-zero path to carries.

With Pollard, Spears, Singleton (R5P25), and Michael Carter all ahead on the depth chart, Mullings is the fifth or sixth RB on Tennessee's roster. He faces a serious cut risk heading into 2026 training camp with virtually zero NFL production to argue his case.

The Titans' R5P25 selection of Nicholas Singleton is a direct competitive threat — unlike a pure goal-line specialist, Singleton has three-down upside with legitimate pass-catching ability, making him redundant with every role Mullings could theoretically fill including the receiving back and change-of-pace niche.

The 2026 R5P25 selection of Nicholas Singleton out of Penn State directly threatens Mullings' developmental-back path; Singleton carries materially higher draft pedigree (value vs Mullings') and is the youth piece Tennessee is grooming as Pollard/Spears age out.

If Pollard declines or Titans move on from him, Mullings could become the focal point of a young offensive system. Securing the primary back role would dramatically increase his dynasty value and touch volume.

His bulky frame as a former linebacker made him the frontrunner to be the Titans' short-yardage back in 2025, a role they did not have filled in 2024. He fills a void in the Titans' offense which lacked power in short yardage, and his blend of size and burst excels between the tackles.

Pollard is listed as one of the likeliest cut candidates for Tennessee this spring due to declining performance and cap savings opportunities. If released, Mullings could compete for early-down and short-yardage work alongside Spears.

Pollard's contract includes a potential out in 2026 that would turn his deal into a two-year, $14.5M contract with just $2M in dead cap, though knowing how much the Titans have leaned on Pollard recently, it would be shocking to see him cut in the coming months.

At 6'2", 226 pounds with a physical running style, Mullings fills a void the Titans lacked in 2024 and was the frontrunner to be their short-yardage/goal-line back. This specialized role could provide TD equity even in limited work.

Pollard is in the final year of his deal at a $9.25M cap hit — a likely cut if Love is drafted, resetting the 2027 backfield around Spears and Mullings in complementary roles. That is a legitimate path to relevance, just 12+ months away.