Chicago Bears: 5 Biggest needs in 2020 NFL Draft after free agency
5. Running Back
Current running backs on the roster: David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen
The Chicago Bears thought they had a strong running backs unit going into the 2019 season. They drafted Montgomery and Kerrith Whyte and signed Mike Davis as a free agent. They already had Cohen and free agent Cordarrelle Patterson would play some snaps in the backfield.
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Well, things didn’t work out as the Bears planned. They waived Whyte (a bad idea) and Davis, leaving Cohen as the main backup for Montgomery. As a result, the Bears running attack finished 27th in rushing yards, 28th in rushing touchdowns and 29th in average yards per rushing attempt.
Cohen is a gadget player. You can run him from the backfield or the slot but you cannot depend on him to be the main backup running back. Move him around the field and he could be effective. If you continually put him in the backfield, he’ll take unnecessary hits, something his 5-6, 190-pound frame cannot afford to take regularly.
The Bears need to pick up a running back who could be a more reliable backup. He doesn’t have to be the greatest runner we’ll ever see, though. He just needs to take a good chunk of the snaps to keep Montgomery fresh.
Prospects to target: Baylor running back JaMycal Hasty is a good option the Bears could go after, especially late in the draft. He is a tough-minded runner who can grind out short yards when you need it. Additionally, he can be an asset in the passing game out of the backfield.
Arizona State’s Eno Benjamin is another dual-threat who can grind out yards or catch passes out of the backfield.