After the Chicago Bears got a big season from their rookie running back last year, they’re looking to get another first-year player in the backfield involved in 2017.

Fourth-round pick Tarik Cohen out of North Carolina A&T told the Chicago Sun-Times the Bears’ offense is “drawing up some things” for him to get on the field in relief of Jordan Howard.

“I can come in and be a change-of-pace back, stretch the defense out,” Cohen said. “So when Howard gets in, he has those vertical lanes and can be the type of slasher back that he is.”

At only 5-foot-6, 179 pounds, he certainly offers a very different skill set from the Bears’ starter. Cohen has plenty of competition for playing time, though.

The Bears signed free agent Benny Cunningham this offseason, and both Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey are returning and fighting for their jobs this preseason.

As the most recently drafted of the three fourth-round running backs, Cohen might be the only rusher not named Howard who has his roster spot secure. He knows that the next step is finding a role and earning playing time as the No. 2 back.

“I think I’m going to be finding a niche here in the offense,” Cohen said. “I’m getting a hang of all the things they want me to do. And I feel like when I get that, I’ll be a factor in this offense.”