Chicago Bears: Tarik Cohen adds much-needed explosiveness

Rookie running back Tarik Cohen can give the Chicago Bears an explosive option on both offense and special teams.

The Chicago Bears drafted running back Tarik Cohen in the fourth-round (119th overall) in April’s draft. Standing at only 5-6 and weighing 179 pounds, Cohen not only is the smallest player on the team’s roster, but also one of the smallest players in the entire league. Not many people know who Cohen is, as he attended a small college (North Carolina A&T) and his games were rarely on television. However, Cohen is out to make a name for himself and show that good things really do come in small packages.

Cohen will not see significant touches early in his career, so he’ll have to make the most out of the few he does get. But unlike fellow running back Jordan Howard, Cohen possesses elite speed and quickness, and is a threat to “take it to the house” every time he touches a football.

In his senior season at North Carolina A&T, Cohen ran for 1,543 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and scored 15 touchdowns. He routinely ripped off runs of fifty-yards or more, and his videogame-like moves earned him the nickname “The Human Joystick.” His ability to stop and cut on a dime is uncanny, and his electrifying style makes him very fun to watch. While he does struggle with inside runs and sometimes runs east-west instead of north-south, Cohen’s explosive nature is something the Bears’ offense needs.

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Jordan Howard made the Pro Bowl his rookie season, and his future looks very bright. However, he’s not a burner and his receiving skills are just average. Cohen is a perfect complement to Howard and could carve out a much larger role as the season progresses.

Cohen is not a great blocker, so having him in a traditional third-down role might not be the smartest thing. With this being said, Cohen can be a true mismatch, particularly in the passing game. Coming out of the backfield, Cohen is too fast for linebackers to cover, and when he lines up in the slot, Cohen is too shifty for most defenders (regardless of position). Often compared to Darren Sproles, Cohen can give the Bears’ offense a true weapon that defenses have to account for on every play.

The Bears’ offense lacked speed last year, so Cohen will also immediately help in that department. There will be scenarios where Howard and Cohen are on the field at the same time, giving the Bears a true “thunder and lightning” option.

Cohen might actually see more time at wide receiver early in the season than at running back, and that might not be such a bad thing. As mentioned, Cohen’s explosiveness can give the Bears a weapon that opposing defenses have to locate every play — that is, if defenders can see the 5-6 Cohen on the field.

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Cohen also should get a chance in the kick return game, an area that the Bears need to get more out of. It’s taken too long to find Devin Hester’s replacement, so the Bears are hoping that Cohen can maybe return some of the explosiveness the special teams had a few years ago.

If all goes well, Cohen could develop into something the Bears haven’t had in years — a true game changer.