Chicago Bears: Would the team draft one of these running backs with its first pick?
By Ryan Sikes
The Bears could add another weapon to the backfield
The Bears certainly don’t need to utilize one of their second-round picks on a running back, but in recent mock drafts, both Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor and Ohio State’s JK Dobbins have been available. Both guys would provide another dynamic to the Chicago Bears’ backfield so that Cohen could be utilized in a way that is more aligned with his first two seasons.
Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin
Jonathan Taylor was a star from the day he stepped on campus. He rushed for 1,977 yards on 299 carries in 14 games in his freshman year and followed that with a 2,194-yard campaign in just 13 games. Last year, Taylor became more involved in the passing game. Between 2017 and 2018, he hauled in a combined 16 passes but caught 26 balls out of the backfield for 252 yards during his junior season.
The primary knock on Taylor has been ball security. He fumbled 18 times in three years at Wisconsin. However, looking at players like Adrian Peterson and Tiki Barber, who both struggled in this department, the problem is correctable. If you recall, Barber repositioned the way he held the ball so that it was high and tight just below the neck rather than down along the ribs.
J.K. Dobbins – Ohio State
J.K. Dobbins was a guy who seemed to get better every year in Columbus. Splitting carries with Mike Weber in 2017 and 2018, Dobbins rushed for a combined 2,456 yards. Last year, as the feature back, Dobbins rushed for 2,003 yards on 301 carries and crossed the goal line 21 times. He also hauled in 23 balls out of the backfield for 247 yards.
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A backfield of Montgomery and Dobbins – or Taylor for that matter – would make for a formidable duo and would keep pace with the trend of the league. No longer does a team feature a single running back, and teams like the Eagles, 49ers, and Saints have demonstrated how having multiple backs on the roster who can perform well contributes to the overall success of the team.
That said, would taking a running back be the smartest move for Ryan Pace?