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The Chicago Bears typically waste almost no time in signing their draft picks and that pattern continues. The team officially announced the contracts of their 2017 fourth-round and fifth-rounders, respectively, in running back Tarik Cohen and guard Jordan Morgan. Official details of each contract have not been disclosed.
Cohen was a star at Division II North Carolina A&T where he accumulated at least 1,500 rushing yards in each of his last two seasons in college. He’s drawn comparisons to current Philadelphia Eagle and former New Orleans Saint, Darren Sproles, due to his diminutive stature at 5-foot-6, 179 pounds. He’ll likely be used in specific packages as a utility runner and pass catcher to compliment the bruising Jordan Howard.
Cohen’s part of the New Orleans connection many have drawn to Chicago’s team building of late with new draft additions similar to the early 2010’s Saints roster.
Meanwhile, Morgan was a four-year starter who played every game at left tackle for Kutztown, another Division II school. Though in Chicago, he’ll project on the interior according to general manager Ryan Pace. Morgan was named Division II’s best lineman last season, winning the Gene Upshaw Award.
In that light, Morgan also has the similar Saints vibe as now Packer, Jahri Evans, was a four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler at guard with New Orleans after being drafted out of a Division II school in Bloomsburg. An ideal to build from the interior instead of the outside to protect your quarterback and set your running game.
Perhaps only by coincidence, both Bloomsburg and Kutztown are both located in Pennsylvania.
On that note, Chicago’s other three picks from the 2017 NFL Draft in Eddie Jackson, Mitchell Trubisky, and Adam Shaheen have all yet to be signed.
Though, with the team’s rookie development program kicking off this weekend, it’s no doubt the Bears are working diligently to make sure each piece of their future is in the fold and ready to contribute from the outset.
Robert Zeglinski is the Bears beat writer for the Rock River Times and is a staff writer for Windy City Gridiron. You can follow him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski.