GET ACQUAINTED WITH HOWARD, REST T OF RUNNING BACKS
Leading into training camp, the Sun- Times takes a closer look at each position
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JORDAN HOWARD Second year 6- 1, 222, Indiana Acquired: Fifth- round draft pick ( 150th overall) in 2016.
Age: 22. NFL experience: 15 games ( 13 starts) in one season.
Background: Pegged as an under- drafted player when the Bears took him, Howard was a revelation as a rookie. Though he didn’t play untilWeek 2 and didn’t start untilWeek 4, he was second in the NFL in rushing with 1,313 yards ( 5.2 average, six touchdowns). He had seven 100- yard games, including a season- high 153 yards against the Vikings. He also scored three touchdowns in a victory over the 49ers.
The skinny: Howard figures to be as close to a sure thing as the Bears have on offense, but that’s part of the challenge he faces in his second season. With Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery gone, Howard also is the biggest threat the Bears have and will be a marked man. The offensive line should be improved, but Howard won’t be able to do it alone.
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KA’DEEM CAREY Fourth year 5- 10, 215, Arizona Acquired: Fourth- round draft pick ( 117th) in 2014.
Age: 24. NFL experience: 36 games ( one start) in three seasons.
Background: Carey has been the ultimate intermittent backup in three seasons with the Bears, with double- digit carries just three times. He was a backup to Matt Forte in 2014 ( 36 carries 158 yards, 4.4 average, 0 touchdowns), to Forte and Jeremy Langford in 2015 ( 43- 159, 3.7, 2) and to Jordan Howard and Langford in 2016 ( 32- 126, 3.9, 0). In his only start, against the Chargers in 2015, he had seven carries for 28 yards.
The skinny: With the addition of rookie Tarik Cohen and kick returner Benny Cunningham, Carey faces an uphill battle with Langford and perhaps Cunningham for a roster spot. He’s versatile and dependable and made progress on special teams last year. But as a Phil Emery era draftee, he might need a break to make it.
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BENNY CUNNINGHAM Fifth season 5- 10, 217, Middle Tennessee State
Acquired: Signed as a free agent in 2017.
Age: 27. NFL experience: 57 games ( three starts) in four seasons.
Background: Signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent, Cunningham was mostly effective as a kickoff returner in four seasons with the team. He was third in the NFL in 2016 ( 27.2- yard average, long of 61 yards), fourth in 2015 ( 28.6, 102) and fifth in 2014 ( 27.5, 75). As a running back, Cunningham rushed for four touchdowns in his first two seasons but had just 21 carries for 101 yards and no touchdowns and 16 receptions for 91 yards with the Rams last season.
The skinny: Signed to a one- year, $ 855,000 contract, Cunningham is an easy roll of the dice in the Bears’ search for an effective kickoff returner. He figures to battle Deonte Thompson for that job, though others likely will get a shot.
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TARIK COHEN Rookie 5- 6, 179, North Carolina A& T Acquired: Fourth- round draft pick ( 119th) in 2017.
Age: 21. NFL experience: None. Background: Lightly recruited out of Bunn ( N. C.) High School because of his diminutive size ( despite running the 40- yard dash in 4.4 seconds), Cohen became a prolific rusher at FCS North Carolina A& T— 5,619 yards, 56 touchdowns, 122 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry in four seasons. He rushed for 1,543 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and 1,588 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.
The skinny: It’s a huge jump for Cohen to go from the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference to the NFL, but his unique skills and determination give him a chance. The Bears see him as a prototypical third- down threat. It’s up to them to put him in situations to succeed— and coach him up on pass protection— to get the most out of him.
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JEREMY LANGFORD Third season 6- 0, 211, Michigan State Acquired: Fourth- round draft pick ( 106th) in 2015.
Age: 25. NFL experience: 28 games ( five starts) in two seasons.
Background: After a slow start as a rookie, Langford established himself as a legitimate replacement for Matt Forte when he rushed for 537 yards ( 3.6 average) and six touchdowns. He had a stellar performance against the Rams in which he rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown and turned a screen pass into an 83- yard touchdown in a 37- 13 victory. He struggled to build on that early in 2016, was less effective in the passing game, then was passed by rookie Jordan Howard while missing four games with a high ankle sprain. Langford finished the year with 62 rushes for 200 yards ( 3.2 average) and four touchdowns.
The skinny: Langford enters the season on the bubble. With rookie Tarik Cohen expected to be the change- of- pace and third- down back, there’s not a lot of room for a backup who doesn’t contribute much on special teams. He’s still a quality runner, but he has little margin for error.
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JOEL BOUAGNON Rookie 6- 2, 228, Northern Illinois Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Age: 22. NFL experience: None. Background: The Aurora Christian product was a three- year starter at NIU, where he rushed for 2,912 yards ( 4.9 average) and 31 touchdowns. He was a first- team all- MAC selection as a junior in 2015, when he rushed for 1,286 yards ( 4.5) and 18 touchdowns. He rushed for 885 yards ( 4.9) and eight touchdowns last season.
The skinny: More of a downhill, short- yardage, blocking back, Bouagnon has a chance to find a niche role on the Bears, but more than likely his best bet will be on the practice squad.
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FREDDIE STEVENSON Fullback, rookie 6- 0, 234, Florida State Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Age: 22. NFL experience: None. Background: A star linebacker in high school, Stevenson was used mostly as a blocking back for star running back Dalvin Cook at Florida State. He had just 25 rushes for 132 yards ( 5.3 average) in 30 career games. He usually made his runs count. Against Florida last season, Stevenson scored on a 27- yard run on his only carry to give the Seminoles a 24- 6 lead en route to a 31- 13 victory. He had 13 carries for 90 yards ( 6.9) and four of his five career rushing touchdowns as a senior.
The skinny: The challenge for Stevenson is not only to prove he can be productive at the NFL level, but to prove to the Bears that they need a niche player like him. From offense to special teams to the locker room, he has a knack for being useful and valuable, but his best hope at this point appears to be a practice- squad spot.
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MICHAEL BURTON Fullback, third season 6- 0, 247, Rutgers Acquired: Claimed off waivers May 31, one day after being cut by the Lions.
Age: 25. NFL experience: 31 games ( seven starts) in two seasons.
Background: A fifth- round draft pick ( 168th overall) by the Lions in 2015, Burton was an effective blocking back as a rookie, playing in all 16 games and starting seven. He had four carries for two yards and six receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown. His role diminished in 2016 ( 95 total snaps) as the Lions de- emphasized the fullback. Burton still was effective on special teams, but he was inactive for the final two regular- season games and the playoff game against the Seahawks.
The skinny: Burton has experience and is an effective blocker, which could be particularly valuable in a developing offense with many new pieces. However, it remains to be seen just how much the Bears need a fullback, and he’ll have competition from rookie Freddie Stevenson. Special- teams production will be key for Burton.
— Mark Potash