Titans sign RB Jeremy McNichols

The Titans have signed running back Jeremy McNichols off of the Broncos practice squad per a team announcement.

Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Buccaneers in 2017 after a prolific college career at Boise State, McNichols failed to make Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster out of camp (as chronicled by Hard Knocks). He ended up in San Francisco, splitting time between the practice squad and active roster, but never registered a carry for the Niners. After getting cut by San Fran at the end of this year’s training camp, he landed on the Colts practice squad early this season. McNichols ended up getting promoted to the active roster and got 2 carries for 4 yards before eventually being released as the Colts backfield got healthy. He’s been on the Broncos practice squad for the last two months.

McNichols stands 5’-9” and weighs 214 pounds. At Boise State, he rushed for 3,205 yards and 44 touchdowns in three seasons. His final year was his best as he rushed for 1,709 yards and 23 touchdowns while also adding 474 yards and 4 more touchdowns through the air.

The Titans released Dalyn Dawkins to make room on the 53-man roster for McNichols. My take on this is that this might signal that they expect David Fluellen to be out for at least a few more weeks and weren’t comfortable with Dawkins as the RB3 on a team that wants to use multiple backs throughout a game. McNichols doesn’t figure to be a threat to Derrick Henry or Dion Lewis, but he’s a guy who is both big enough to run between the tackles and a good enough pass catcher that he can credibly fill some of Dion Lewis’ 3rd down role if called upon.