Ka'Deem

Carey

Carey rushed a whopping 349 times for 1,885 yards (5.4 YPC) and 19 TDs as a junior in Rich Rodriguez’s spread-option offense, adding 26 receptions. He’s listed at 5-foot-10, 207. Carey reportedly received a second-round grade from the NFL’s Draft Advisory Board, and has drawn comparisons to LeSean McCoy and Gio Bernard for his in-space playmaking ability and elusiveness. He’ll be a fantasy back to monitor closely in both Dynasty and re-draft circles.

The times are on the slower side for a 5-foot-9, 207-pound running back, though it was noticeable that Carey struggled with his start off the line on both of his runs. Carey is currently not listed among Mike Mayock’s top-five running backs because Mayock believes he is strong in most areas, but lacks a “special” trait. We expect Carey to be a second-day draft choice.

He was listed at 5-foot-10, 207 by the Wildcats, so this is pretty spot on. Early draftnik opinions seem to be mixed on Carey, though we were impressed by him during our initial rookie running back tape review. Carey is an explosive slasher with some Ray Rice to his game and deceptive lateral agility.

Just being at practice means Carey has progressed through the concussion protocol, but it is likely he sits out this week’s game. That should give more work to rookie Jordan Howard, who appeared to be buried on the depth chart in the first preseason game.

Running behind Jacquizz Rodgers, Carey was injured in the second half and will not return. Carey is competing for snaps in Chicago’s backfield with Rodgers, Jeremy Langford, and rookie Jordan Howard.

His one catch was a nice fourth-down conversion in the third quarter. Carey was the third back through the rotation Saturday, working behind Jeremy Langford and Jacquizz Rodgers but ahead of rookie Jordan Howard. He will not see any fantasy value in that role, but he would be a name to remember if something happened to Langford.

A technically sound player with mediocre physical traits, Carey has averaged 4.01 yards through his first 79 NFL carries. Touches are up for grabs in Chicago’s backfield, where Jeremy Langford is the tentative front-runner and power back Jordan Howard was added in the fifth round. Coach John Fox has said publicly the Bears will “ride the hot hand” at running back this year.

Biggs says “most consider” Jeremy Langford the “odds-on favorite” to be named the starter ahead of Week 1, but Ka’Deem Carey and fifth-round pick Jordan Howard may both be involved. Biggs notes that Bears coach John Fox “consistently used a backfield by committee” during his time with the Panthers and Broncos. “It’s a situation where the coaches look for a hot hand and ride it,” Biggs wrote. Langford’s versatility gives him an early edge, but Howard’s powerful north-south style may prove a superior fit in scoring situations. Carey is a jack of all trades, but master of none and likely to settle in as Chicago’s No. 3 back.

He played just six snaps as the No. 2 back behind Jordan Howard. Howard handled 30 touches on 50 snaps as the clear-cut lead dog Monday night. Howard developed the hot hand by taking his second carry of the night for 69 yards. Coach John Fox rode him the rest of the way. Carey was still ahead of Jeremy Langford (five snaps), who was making his return from an ankle injury.

Carey is back after missing two weeks with a bad hamstring. He’ll serve as the Bears’ No. 2 running back behind workhorse Jordan Howard. Carey has logged seven rushing yards on only three carries this season. He can be left on the waiver wire.