Chicago Bears 2017 NFL Draft Grades: Grading Each Selection for Chicago
B-. . Running Back. 119th Overall. TARIK COHEN
I can’t quite decide how I feel about this pick. On one hand, it feels like a bit of a reach. Tarik Cohen is a 5-foot-6, 179-pound running back from North Carolina A&T. He likely would have been available a round later. That being said, the guy is undoubtedly a playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Cohen is a quick and elusive back who can make anybody miss in the open field. His nickname “The Human Joystick” undoubtedly fits well. Cohen shows elite start and stop quickness and does a great job of finding the space in the run game. Cohen is also a fantastic receiver out of the backfield.
His size will limit him at the next level, but Cohen’s elusiveness is undoubtedly for real. He also has legitimate breakaway speed, which was showed at the combine when he ran an impressive 4.42 40-yard dash.
The Bears obviously did not have a huge need at the running back position. Jordan Howard was the second-leading rusher in the NFL last season as a rookie. That being said, Cohen’s speed and elusiveness make him an elite fit as a change-of-pace complement of Howard. Expect him to be an explosive offensive weapon for the Bears in a limited role. Cohen could also be a major playmaker in the return game.
As you can imagine “The Human Joystick” has an extremely exciting highlight reel. I am just going to leave this here: