The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with fourth-round pick Evan Rodriguez and seventh-round pick Greg McCoy on four-year contracts, the team announced on Tuesday.

Financial terms of the deals weren’t immediately disclosed.

Rodriguez, a tight end out of Temple, was a two-time first-team all-MAC selection. He caught 35 passes for 479 yards and two touchdowns during his senior season. Bears general manager Phil Emery said on draft day he envisions Rodriguez as not only a key contributor on special teams, but also a player capable of starting in the club's base offense.

A kick returner and cornerback, McCoy started 39 of 52 games at Texas Christian University, and was drafted in April by the Bears with the 220th overall selection. McCoy posted 92 tackles at TCU to go with seven interceptions and 17 pass breakups.


The Bears will initially use Rodriguez in the "F" tight end position, the same role held by former first-round selection Greg Olsen before he was traded to Carolina prior to last season. Rodriguez is considered a hybrid tight end/H-back, but will asked to stretch the field vertically in the passing game, according to Emery.

Rodriguez sees himself in the same mold as current New England tight end Aaron Hernandez, who put up big regular season (79 catches for 910 yards and seven touchdowns) and postseason (19-188-2) numbers in just his second year in the NFL.

He originally signed with West Virginia out of high school but transferred to Temple after one season with the Mountaineers. Rodriguez has been linked to several off-the-field incidents during his time at both West Virginia and Temple, but told the media upon being drafted that he's learned from his mistakes.

As a return man, McCoy racked up 1,505 yards on kickoffs with three touchdowns.

McCoy becomes the second player of Chicago’s 2012 draft class to agree to terms on a deal. The club announced it had agreed to terms last week with second-round receiver Alshon Jeffery.

With the McCoy deal, the Bears still need to complete four more contracts with rookies, using a pool of approximately $4.1 million.

It’s likely the Bears could announce more signings in the coming days because the club kicks off its rookie minicamp on Friday.