lee909

Tarik Cohen looks a interesting late rounder

TARIK COHEN
NORTH CAROLINA A&T MEAC

COMBINE RESULTS
GRADE
5.49

40 Yards
4.42 SEC

Bench
11 REPS

Vert
31.5 INCH

Broad
118.0 INCH

5'6"
HEIGHT

29 3/4"
ARM LENGTH

179LBS.
WEIGHT

10 1/8"
HANDS

OVERVIEW
While only a bit over 5-foot-6 and 175 pounds, Cohen was one of the most productive running backs at the FCS level the past four seasons. The MEAC's all-time leading rusher (5,619 yards) and first three-time conference Offensive Player of the Year was an All-American in 2016, setting a school record with 1,588 yards and 19 touchdowns on 212 carries (37-339, one TD receiving). Cohen was a third-team All-American as a junior (264-1,543, 15 TD rushing; 25-217 receiving) and led the MEAC in scoring as well as rushing in 2014 (197-1,340, 15 TD rushing; 25-237, one TD receiving). Though he started only six games as a freshman, Cohen managed to run for 1,148 yards and eight scores on 195 attempts (11-152, one TD receiving).

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Nicknamed "The Human Joystick" for his ability to make seemingly impossible cuts. Plays with unpredictable movements. Can turn any play into a random game of "connect the dots." Rare ability to stop and start. Cuts are just as seamless and sharp from any direction. Field vision is excellent. Has lateral escapability to put would-be tacklers on his highlight tapes. Gifted with unusually large hands and a powerful lower body that enhances his contact balance and ability to drive for extra yardage. Very good acceleration pulls him away from tacklers and into the clear. Relentless competitor. Had four touchdown runs of 83-plus yards this season. A true weapon out of the backfield that will be tough to matchup with. Has good hands and is very slippery in space.

WEAKNESSES
Falls below the size standards expected from the position. Overwhelmed slower and less talented competition. Benefitted from heinous angles to the ball from tacklers he faced. Way too eager to take plays off script. Wants to swing for the fences on every snap and will have to learn when to hit singles. Too eager to bounce everything. Takes his share of negative yardage carries. Feet are electric, but footwork and run track on zone plays needs work. Takes big hits from big men when trying to fight out of tackles and squeeze out extra yards. Stature and short arms make him a tougher target for quarterbacks. Has almost no experience as a punt or kick returner on special teams.

NFL COMPARISON Darren Sproles

BOTTOM LINE
Cohen uses a bounding, bouncing approach to the line of scrimmage reminiscent of Le'Veon Bell, but he's far less likely to finish downhill and instead looks to break it wide and out-race defenders. He's an electric playmaker who needs touches, but he's too small and unpredictable to handle much of an NFL carry count. Cohen gets easy separation as a receiver out of the backfield or from the slot and he will likely be used as an updated version of Darren Sproles 2.0.

"Two receivers to the left, Garcon to the right. Manning in the shotgun, puts Collie in motion. Looks in his direction...it's picked off! It's picked off! It's Tracy Porter again! He's runnin' free! He's gonna go all the way!

Seer1

Meh...

ChrisXVI

Almost one week to go!

R1P11 EDGE TACO CHARLTON MICHIGAN

R1P32 *Traded to Patriots for CB Malcolm Butler

R2P10 LB ZACH CUNNINGHAM VANDERBILT

R3P12 WR/RB CURTIS SAMUEL OHIO STATE

R3P39 TE ADAM SHAHEEN ASHLAND

R6P12 WR KENNY GOLLADAY NORTHERN ILLINOIS

R7P11 S DELANO HILL MICHIGAN

jeanpierre

Chris, you think Cunningham can play at top speed when he has to add the weight to play in the NFL?

jeanpierre

Pick No. 11 (R1, P11) RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

This is the guy with elite speed/elusiveness who will extend drives for the Saints offense, essentially putting it on Nitrous; he's the player that has been missing in those years with No Bush, No Sproles; multi-faceted contributor in the return game which immediately addresses those needs as well; great complement, change of pace to Ingram's bowling ball style; team player, leader, with plus, plus personal character traits; and when the day comes for a new QB, he'll be the calming transition leadership in that huddle...

Pick No. 32 (R1, P32) DE Malik McDowell, Michigan State

Really, really hope we keep this pick (and I got a growing suspicion our 2018 1st round pick may be dealt), because if McDowell falls, it'll be lightning striking twice because this guy is a Cam Jordan clone; he can play all over the line and was used as a NT out of desperation by Michigan St; he will absolute eat at DE in the NFL and force 1:1 all along the defensive line and a respected base pass rush...

Pick No. 42 (R2, P10) LB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

I'd take Watt as high as 32; with Okafor in place he can backup at weak side DE or could come in and start at LBer; either way he makes plays - not just sacks, but FF, INT, TFL; he'll bring some smarts and love for the game to that defensive huddle; his progression since transitioning to an edge defender is phenomenal. Don't pass on this guy with 32 or 42!

Pick No. 76 (R3, P12) OT Will Holden, Vanderbilt

OT is shallow in this class, but this big hulk is Zach Strief, in fact, I'd take him here not just because it's a shallow class, but he's further along at this point than Zach was as a rookie; he could spell Zach by mid-season and is a very secure long term plan at RT...

Pick No. 103 (R3, P39) WR Chad Hansen, California

Sure hands. Sneaky second gear. Elite Catch Radius. Advanced route running experience. Lethal complement opposite Can't Guard Mike. And he could provide depth at the X-receiver. While everyone's looking the other way, Hansen will make 'em pay...

Pick No. 196 (R6, P12) QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss

Have followed Kelly as an SEC fan; really believe a Payton/Brees locker room is what this kid needs to mature and develop as a leader on the football field; he's got a bionic arm; he's showed real moxie in beating Bama and Auburn in the same season like this guy that played at So. Miss, drafted by the Falcons, traded to Green Bay; perfect low risk, high reward candidate for the next three seasons behind Brees...

Pick No. 229 (R7, P11) G Corey Levin, Chattanooga (TN)

While he was a standout since his Freshman year, Levin has the smarts, athleticism, and physicality to develop into a starting Left Guard and spot starter at Left Tackle; we've got to continue to develop the depth and this kid is what the doc prescribes...

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It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

lee909

Latest from Jeff Duncan
Seems a bit high for the Tackle but then with no middle rounds oicks i guess you gotta reach

Dont mind the idea of trading back for Conley. Could gain a minimum mid round third going back to 16 maybe more.

Round 1 (No. 11 overall): CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State
Because the edge rusher they prefer probably won’t be there at No. 11, I believe the Saints will investigate trading down into the high teens or early 20s and acquiring extra draft picks. If they stay put, Conley is one of the safest players in the draft. A likely starter from Day One, he possesses the size/speed ratio defensive coordinator Dennis Allen prefers in his cornerbacks. In this scenario, I see the Saints waiting until No. 32 or 42 to address their need for a pass rusher.



Round 1 (No. 32): DE Taco Charlton, Michigan
After taking Conley early, the Saints will then look to the handful of edge rushers graded in the late first-, early second-round zone. Charles Harris, Takk McKinley, T.J. Watt, Jordan Willis and Taco Charlton all make sense here. The Cowboys, Lions, Eagles and Rams could all be in the market for an edge rusher, too, so it's likely one or two of these guys will be off the board by No. 32. The Saints also could trade out of the spot if one of the top QB prospects falls and a quarterback-needy team makes the Saints an offer they can't refuse. As is, I'll slot Charlton to the Saints here because I think Harris, Watt and McKinely will be off the board. Charlton is an intriguing prospect with the size and power to be an every-down starter at left end. His best football is ahead of him.



Curtis Samuel
Round 2 (No. 42): RB Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
After addressing the team’s most pressing defensive needs in Round 1, I could see the Saints pulling the trigger on a perimeter playmaker here. Samuel is basically Christian McCaffrey Lite, a jack-of-all-trades capable of playing almost anywhere on offense. Samuel has been compared to Percy Harvin and would help replace Brandin Cooks’ big-play ability in the Saints’ offensive arsenal.




Round 3 (76): FS Eddie Jackson, Alabama
Safety is a sneaky need for the Saints. Jairus Byrd is gone, and Kenny Vaccaro will be a free agent after this season. The secondary could use a young free safety as insurance in case Vaccaro isn't re-signed. Jackson is a former cornerback who developed into the quarterback of the Alabama defense from his spot in center field. He has terrific ball skills and is comfortable in the single-high safety role. The Saints like players with leadership traits and Jackson is a former team captain for the Crimson Tide.




Round 3 (103): OT Antonio Garcia, Troy
Like safety, tackle is another position where the Saints need depth. Garcia is a developmental prospect who can take the time to learn behind Saints veterans Terron Armstead and Zach Strief. Garcia played in a quick-strike, spread offense at Troy so he'll need time to adjust to a traditional NFL offense. He could be the heir apparent to Strief at right tackle.




Round 6 (196): WR Stacey Coley, Miami
Late in the draft, NFL teams looks for players with one redeeming quality. Coley has one: 4.3 speed to take the top off the defense. Ted Ginn Jr. will man the Devery Henderson-Robert Meachem role in the Saints offense in the short-term but Coley is a nice future option. Coley has been compared to former Hurricanes receiver Philip Dorsett, a favorite of Sean Payton in the 2015 draft.



Round 7 (229): CB Marquez White, Florida State
You can never have enough cornerbacks and White has the size and cover skills to be a solid gamble at this stage. He played in a press coverage scheme at Florida State and has the athletic ability to be a solid contributor on special teams.

"Two receivers to the left, Garcon to the right. Manning in the shotgun, puts Collie in motion. Looks in his direction...it's picked off! It's picked off! It's Tracy Porter again! He's runnin' free! He's gonna go all the way!

jeanpierre

Duncan's mocks scare me because sometimes he's got inside knowledge...

Even before the Conley scandal, I wan't sold on him as a first round pick...

jeanpierre

Has anybody ran the Fanspeak simulator lately...

I'm always amazed how much players' stocks change in the last month before the draft...

Gives a whole level more of understanding the pro game...

lee909

Josh Katzenstein‏Verified account @jkatzenstein 1m1 minute ago
More
Loomis on @WWLAMFM on if Saints will use picks 11 & 32: "I think it’s better than 50-50 but I certainly wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent."

lee909

Last one for me

Fanspeak Site
Fanspeak board and need

11: R1P11
CB MARSHON LATTIMORE
OHIO STATE

32: R1P32
EDGE TACO CHARLTON
MICHIGAN

42: R2P10
CB TRE'DAVIOUS WHITE
LSU

76: R3P12
TE ADAM SHAHEEN
ASHLAND


103: R3P39

S EDDIE JACKSON
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS