Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Bears: Tarik Cohen named among instant impact NFL rookies

By Dan Schmelzer

Dec 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina A&T Aggies running back Tarik Cohen (28) is tackled by Alcorn State Braves defensive back Warren Gatewood (24) in the second quarter of the 2015 Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina A&T Aggies running back Tarik Cohen (28) is tackled by Alcorn State Braves defensive back Warren Gatewood (24) in the second quarter of the 2015 Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Chicago Bears fourth-round running back Tarik Cohen is expected to make a big-time impact in his rookie season.

I was one of many to be surprised when the Chicago Bears took North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. I tabbed Cohen as a possible target for the Bears about a month before he was selected but I was still surprised to see them take him with their fourth of five selections in the draft.

Jordan Howard was brilliant for the Chicago Bears as a rookie in 2015. With Howard in the fold along with guys like Jeremy Langford, Benny Cunningham and Ka’Deem Carey, running back may have been the position that the Bears needed to address the least. However, Cohen is not a typical running back prospect.

Cohen is nicknamed “The Human Joystick” for his ability to make defenders miss in the middle of the field. He puts would-be tacklers on skates on a consistent basis and it is easy to see why the Bears put a high value on him. It was a surprising selection but Cohen undoubtedly has a chance to be a big-time playmaker for the Bears.

Gil Brandt of NFL.com thinks Cohen will make a big impact for the Bears right away, as he names him as one of his 14 “instant-impact rookies” for 2017.

"“Cohen should provide some additional burst out of the backfield for the Bears, especially as a receiver, where 2016 breakout back Jordan Howard doesn’t offer much,” Brandt wrote. “Cohen also should add juice to a return game that still hasn’t really replaced Devin Hester.”"

Listed at 5-foot-6, 179 pounds, Cohen does not exactly have the build of a typical NFL running back. He is almost laughable short on the football field. But there is nothing funny about his game. Cohen is an extremely quick and elusive player whose ankle-breaking ability should easily translate to the next level. He is also a perfect complement to the powerful Howard.

Despite his small stature, Cohen is a tough runner who is not afraid to mix it up on the inside. He is never going to be a 20+ carry a game back but Cohen can make a big impact in the run game, as a receiver and on special teams. The comparisons to Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead are too easy not to make.

Next: UDFA Gentry could be massive addition to Bears' offense

Cohen is an extremely talented player who is electrifying with the ball in his hands. Do not be surprised if he steps in as an immediate contributor for the Chicago Bears in 2017.

Home/Chicago Bears