The Rookies
Evan Rodriguez, Tight End – Chicago Bears
Despite some off-the-field issues while at West Virginia and Temple, the Chicago Bears were impressed with Rodriguez’s versatility as a receiving and blocking TE to select him in the fourth round in 2012; and with good reason. Rodriguez’s combination of size, speed and playmaking abilities are ideally suited for an offensive system that is expected to see major changes under offensive coordinator Mike Tice. Though he’ll start the season as third on the TE depth chart, expect to see the 23-year old, Bronx-born, New Jersey raised Rodriguez in plays designed to give Chicago’s offense the vertical threat it needs at the TE position. That should give Jay Cutler, the team’s quarterback, plenty more to smile about and another viable target to aim at.
