Tarik Cohen
RB, North Carolina A&T · 2017 NFL Draft, Round 4, pick #119 (CHI)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age. Details below.
- Age
22 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.1% of the time (2,011 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #246 (#24 at his position); he went #119, 127 spots earlier. So teams were actually higher on him than the media board was; everyone underrated him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.9% of the time (896 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
North Carolina A&T: not a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (1,426 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at 179 lbs: faster than 82% of RBs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
RB (RB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 46.1% of the time (501 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 51 of ~64 possible regular-season games from 2017 through 2020 (~80%). Last NFL season: 2020.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 51 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| First-team All-Pro | 1 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 21 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 21.0 |
| Passing | 2/3, 22 yds, 2 TD, undefined INT |
| Rushing | 264 att, 1,101 yds, 5 TD |
| Receiving | 209 rec, 1,575 yds, 9 TD |
| Defense | 1 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2020 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 32+ picks before ESPN's rank | 48.9% n=896 | |
| School Non-Power school (Group of 5 / FCS / smaller) | 50.5% n=1,426 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| Position RB | 46.1% n=501 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 5' 6", 179 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.42 s |
| Bench press | 11 reps |
| Vertical | 31.5" |
| Broad jump | 118" |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #246 overall (#24 RB) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 116 | Carl Lawson | redraft #93 |
| 117 | Josh Reynolds | redraft #74 |
| 118 | Mack Hollins | redraft #80 |
| 120 | Ben Gedeon | redraft #109 |
| 121 | Joe Williams | redraft #235 |
| 122 | Nico Siragusa | redraft #236 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.