Free Agents Flying Under Your Team’s Radar
Tarik Cohen
Every team needs a backup running back and he can do just about everything.
In his four seasons with the Bears, Tarik had 1,101 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. That may not be very eye-catching, but he has averaged more than four yards a carry in all but one season. Where he really excels is catching the ball. His size and speed make him difficult to tackle and is more than capable of making a man miss. In his career, he has reeled in 209 catches for 1,575 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cohen’s role doesn’t end on the offense though. He has also been a solid returner. Again his combo of size and speed helps him make defenders miss and break out for big runs.
.@ChicagoBears @TarikCohen is poised to have “a highlight reel” kind of season under new coach Matt Nagy. I can’t wait to see where he lines up in any given play. “INSTANT OFFENSE”. #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/D7XHaV2mdQ — Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) July 2, 2018
With his lack of starting experience and coming off an injury, he will likely sign for a cheap contract, and being 25 is never a bad thing.
Jarvis Landry
Surprisingly enough Landry has not found himself a new team after being released by the Browns this off-season.
He has been a productive number two receiver throughout his career with less than spectacular quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Even with suspect passers, he has managed to maintain a 65% catch rate throughout his career. He has only dropped below 60% twice in his career, in 2021 and 2018. This may not seem impressive but Julio Jones has a career average of 64%.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Who doesn’t love Fitzmagic? Sure he is near the end of his career, but he wouldn’t be signed to start and he is a solid backup. Many times in his career the starter has gone down and Fitz has stepped in and won a handful of games. Just two seasons ago he came in for Tua and led the game-winning drive against the Raiders.
As I stated before he should by no means be a team’s starting quarterback. But he has been serviceable as a backup in the past. The Dolphins most recently. A team with a young quarterback should look into giving him a one-year deal in a player-coach role and if needed come in after an injury.
Carl Nassib
Nassib’s stats won’t fly off the page, but he is a solid role player. What does he bring to the table?
For starters, he is a solid run stopper. Last season with the Raiders he would fill in on obvious rundowns and do a good job of facilitating the back to the middle or keeping the gain to a minimum. Without many games started in his career, it’s possible he could have a greater impact than his stats show given the chance. Either way, any team that brings him in is getting a solid run defender.
Jalen Richard
Jalen Richard has been a backup running back his entire career and has done a good job when given the opportunity.
Richard’s best traits are his pass protection and ability to catch out of the backfield. One of the best examples of his pass blocking is the Raiders vs Jets game in 2020. The game-winning touchdown pass was made possible because he picked up a blitz.
HENRY RUGGS TOUCHDOWN! The most Jets thing possible.. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/gh9AwEDX4Q — Sporting Minute (@sportingminute) December 6, 2020
Any team looking for a back good in pass protection and able to catch the ball out of the backfield should be looking into Richard.