Chicago Bears training camp 2017: Five players who could turn heads in Bourbonnais

2. Tarik Cohen

The line in the Chicago Bears running back room starts squarely behind Jordan Howard. But beyond that, we know little for sure. Did last season sour the Bears on Jeremy Langford as much as it did for a lot of fans? Will Benny Cunningham be expected to do more than just potentially return kicks? Has Ka’Deem Carey finally reached the end of his rope?

And what will Tarik Cohen’s role be with the Bears this season? Did the Bears really get Darren Sproles 2.0, and if so, will they know how to utilize him?

We might not know the answers to that yet, but one thing seems likely: Cohen will drop a few electrifying plays at camp.

Why he’ll impress

One common thought regarding Cohen is that he’ll basically pan out to be another Garrett Wolfe. Wolfe was too small to handle the pounding of being an NFL running back, and Cohen will be too, right?

Truthfully though, if you’re comparing Cohen to Wolfe, you probably haven’t watched them both play. Because Cohen’s style is nothing like Wolfe’s, and it will conform more easily to him being used all over the field.

While Cohen proved quite capable as a rusher, albeit, against FCS competition, it’s his receiving ability that had the Bears fawning over him in the fourth-round. He’s not just a guy you line up in the backfield for swings and screens. Cohen runs routes like a receiver, capable of destroying linebackers that match up with him. And his large, capable hands will serve him well wherever he lines up and whatever route he runs.

Plus, no Bears running back, not even Howard, can even remotely touch what Cohen can do in space. He’s already one of the faster skill players on the team (4.42 40-yard dash), making him a threat when breaking runs outside or as a returner. And his open-field cuts will leave defenders flailing helplessly at the air as their ankles shatter.

His profile might look familiar, but don’t be fooled. The Bears haven’t had an offensive player like this in a long time. And once he gets opportunities to run around in space, he could leave the Bears and their fans with their eyes wide open.