NFL
Fantasy Football: 12 Barely-Owned Players to Watch
Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen is among the under-the-radar players to keep an eye on in the early fantasy season.

Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears

ESPN Ownership Percentage: 2.3%

If you're one of those who likes to downplay preseason play, you need to go watch Tarik Cohen film from this preseason, because he played his way from a roster bubble guy to the legitimate number two back on the roster with his electric on-field performance. Remember when this backfield belonged to "talented youngsters" Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey just two years ago? Both gone. That's how much confidence the Chicago Bears have in the man some call "The Human Joystick."

Cohen totaled 121 yards on 19 carries this preseason (6.4 yard average), including an impressive 11 for 77 in one start in relief of Jordan Howard. Some might knock him for his size (5'6" and 181 pounds), but Cohen ran with toughness and was used in an every-down role. He handled 22.4 touches per game in his final two seasons in college and did not miss a game. If Howard were to go down, it is conceivable that Cohen could step as an every-down back.

Even with Howard healthy, Cohen should still see the field, profiling as the primary passing-down back. Howard caught just 58% of his targets last year and posted the worst drop rate (14%) of any running back. With Chicago likely to see many negative game scripts, Cohen could become a useful PPR asset in deep leagues right away.

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