RADIO
Running back Tarik Cohen has been an efficient receiving back since entering the league. Richard King takes a look at Cohen's value in dynasty leagues for the 2019 fantasy football season. Should you buy him or sell him as a long-term prospect?
When it comes to dynasty football leagues, you know there is no offseason. Without the in-season worries of setting lineups and waiver wire claims, dynasty league enthusiasts can focus their efforts on making trades to improve their teams and preparing for rookie drafts. Offseason narratives can be difficult to navigate, but we are here to help!
Today's column will take a look at Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen. We will start off with an overview of the veteran and then take a look at analyzing his value in dynasty leagues. Then, to finish it off, we will propose some possible trades involving Cohen to give you some ideas for either buying or selling him.
For all discussions regarding Cohen's dynasty value, let's assume you are playing in a 12-team, one-quarterback dynasty league with 0.5 PPR scoring. As always, player values can shift quickly in dynasty leagues so be sure to stay on top of the NFL news cycle when proposing trades.
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Overview
Tarik Cohen
Team: Chicago Bears
College: North Carolina A&T
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 5'6", 181 pounds
2017 NFL Draft: Round 4, Pick 119 overall
Cohen was drafted in the 2017 draft in the 4th round, the same year as quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Cohen was the 10th running back to be selected in the draft and shared the backfield with Jordan Howard. Cohen flashed in his first performance against the Atlanta Falcons, finishing the game with five carries for 66 yards and catching eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Cohen was highly effective in the role he was given in the offense in his rookie season, both as a receiving running back and returning kicks and punts. He even threw a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Miller and showed his versatility all year.
Cohen finished the season having played in all of Chicago's games with 87 rushing attempts for 370 yards and two touchdowns, 53 receptions for 353 yards and a touchdown as well as returning a punt for a touchdown.
In 2018, Cohen continued to share the backfield with Howard. Under the first year of new coach Matt Nagy's offense, Cohen was involved more than in his rookie season, finishing with 99 rushing attempts for 444 yards and three touchdowns, as well as adding 71 receptions for 725 yards and five touchdowns. Cohen also set records in his second season for his individual performances, after his Week 13 game against the New York Giants where he became the first ever player to have at least 30 rushing yards, 150 receiving yards and a passing touchdown in a single game. His 156 receiving yards in that game were the most by a Bears running back since 1960.
Cohen's performances were enough to have him included in the 2019 Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro as a return specialist.
Dynasty Value
Cohen is a young running back, who is effective in all aspects of the game. Cohen's backfield partner in his previous two years has left in a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the team has signed running back Mike Davis who was effective in Seattle. Certainly, there is an advantage of having Davis on the roster instead of Howard, as he is an adept pass-catcher as well as a runner.
The Bears then added rookie running back David Montgomery in the third round, moving up to take him with the 73rd pick. Montgomery was widely touted as an effective running back coming into the draft- especially for fantasy. Montgomery has shown himself to be an effective pass catcher in the few opportunities he was given, catching a combined 58 passes in his last two seasons with Iowa State. Given his usage in college, it's likely that his selection affects the value and usage of Davis rather than Cohen.
Cohen should still have fantasy value, as he has been able to be effective with the touches that he has been given historically. Cohen is still a great value - especially in PPR leagues.
Possible Trades
If looking for draft picks, I would anticipate his value to be a late first-round pick or multiple later picks.
If I was targeting a wide receiver, I'd be likely looking for a younger player who hasn't got an amazing history of fantasy production but has shown ability. Players like Dante Pettis, Tyler Boyd or D.J. Moore at the top end of options. I think it would be possible to target higher-ranked receivers like Brandin Cooks, T.Y. Hilton or Kenny Golladay if another piece was added to the trade on the Cohen side.
I wouldn't really look to trade him for a running back, as he is in a wide group of players that means you are likely to have to give up additional pieces for a small upgrade. I'd likely hold Cohen instead and see what I have in him this season.
Conclusion
Cohen has flashed as a player since he joined the league, and has shown that he has value in a timeshare backfield. If I needed a wide receiver I would look to try and cash in on a trade, otherwise, I would hold onto him this season.
