2012 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears Select TE Evan Rodriguez in Round 4
Published by Jake Perper on April 28, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears selected tight end Evan Rodriguez on the third day of the 2012 NFL draft.
With their fourth-round selection (111th overall), Chicago decided to go with another pass-catching option for quarterback Jay Cutler.
Evan Rodriguez, who is 6’2″ and 239 pounds, reeled in 69 passes for 871 yards and seven touchdowns in 37 games at the University of Temple.
He started his collegiate career at the University of West Virginia, but he transferred to Temple after redshirting his freshman year.
He caught 35 passes for 479 yards and two touchdowns last season. His longest reception was 55 yards.
He averaged 12.2 YPC in three seasons at Temple. He was listed as a fullback/H-back but is projected to be a tight end for the Bears.
He is very versatile, and general manager Phil Emery envisions him to be moved around on offense.
Rodriguez compares himself to Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez because they share the same type of versatility.
Obviously, Rodriguez isn’t the type of player Hernandez is just yet. and he knows that.
Despite a couple off-the-field problems, Rodriguez is ready to show he has matured.
He was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and disturbance at West Virginia in 2007; then, he arrested for disorderly conduct at Temple in April 2009.
This is another player that is filled with lots of potential. That seems to be the theme with Emery’s picks thus far.
Two picks remain for the Bears today in the sixth round (184) and the seventh round (220).
Overall, Bears fans have to be pleased with what has transpired in the draft for this team.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
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