Fantasy Football: 14 Under-the-Radar Rookies to Target in 2017
Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears
We identified Bears starting running back Jordan Howard as a bust candidate for 2017, since losing and trailing in games leads to negative game scripts for rushers, and Chicago's Vegas win total is just 5.5 games.
Losing games and trailing also leads to opportunity in the receiving game, and that’s an area where Cohen, a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft, can excel. He averaged more than three receptions per game in his final college season at North Carolina A&T, and his college profile compares well to another diminutive running back you may have heard of.
| Player | Ht | Wt | RuAtts/G | RuYds | RuYds/G | YPC | RuTDs/G | Recs/G | ReYds/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Sproles | 5-6 | 187 | 18.1 | 4,979 | 110.6 | 6.1 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 13.5 |
| Tarik Cohen | 5-6 | 179 | 18.9 | 5,619 | 122.2 | 6.5 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 20.5 |
Cohen may be small (5'6", 170 pounds), but he was extremely productive on the ground in college, averaging 7.5 yards per carry and totaling 1,588 yards as a senior last season. He won't be a workhorse in the NFL, but Cohen already has a leg up on Jeremy Langford -- who’s been injured in camp and might not make the Bears' roster -- Howard was inefficient as a receiver last year, which opens the door for Cohen in the passing game.
Put it all together and you’ve got a player who could see enough targets to be fantasy relevant, with some serious upside in the event Howard gets hurt. Keep an eye on him and scoop him late in your draft or off the waiver wire if you need running back depth. —Charlie Kleinheksel
