NFL Nation reporter Jeff Dickerson assesses which rookies on the Chicago Bears could earn a starting berth this season.

Why Kevin White could start: The seventh overall choice of the draft; White is expected to start opposite Alshon Jeffery in Week 1. Anything less would be a massive disappointment. After trading Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets in the offseason, the Bears have a starting spot open at wide receiver. Even though Chicago signed veteran Eddie Royal in free agency, White is the logical choice to replace Marshall. Based on the offseason program, the rookie is the real deal. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, White is fast enough to stretch the field -- he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine -- and athletic enough to work over-the-middle. The Bears feel strongly that White is already an accomplished route runner, despite playing just two years at West Virginia after transferring from junior college. White is an ideal target for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who prefers throwing the football to tall receivers. White and Cutler already seem to have a decent chemistry from their limited time working together in organized team activities and minicamp. Furthermore, White appears to have a terrific attitude and work ethic. Unless White suffers an unforeseen injury, the Bears will have a difficult time omitting him from the starting lineup on Sep. 13 against the Green Bay Packers. White did miss time at the recently completed mandatory three-day minicamp, but Chicago gave no indication the young receiver suffered a serious setback.

Why Eddie Goldman could start: Goldman played multiple positions at Florida State, but Chicago wants the second-round pick to focus on lining up at nose tackle in the team's new 3-4 defensive front. Goldman is one of the few players on the roster with the necessary body type to handle the rigors of playing the position. Goldman's direct competition at nose tackle might be Jeremiah Ratliff, who went to multiple Pro Bowls while a member of the Dallas Cowboys. However, the 32-year old Ratliff has played in just 22 games in the last three years. There is no guarantee Ratliff can stay healthy. On the other hand, Goldman will be only 21-years old in the fall. He never suffered a major health setback in three seasons at Florida State. Goldman should also indirectly benefit from the Bears' decision to release troubled defensive lineman Ray McDonald on Memorial Day. Until his latest flurry of arrests, the Bears intended for McDonald to start at defensive end. With McDonald now out of the picture, the Bears have to draw from their already shallow pool of defensive linemen to replace him. Ratliff is an option to move outside and play defensive end. If that happens, Goldman is basically assured of a spot in the starting lineup. Even if Ratliff stays put in 2015, Goldman will be given every opportunity to earn playing time with an eye on eventually cracking the first unit.

Why Hroniss Grasu could start: The tentative plan calls for 32-year old veteran Will Montgomery to start at center. That makes perfect sense considering Montgomery's Denver ties to head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase. But make no mistake: Grasu is the center of the future. A four-year starter at Oregon, Grasu showed the Bears enough in the pre-draft process to convince Chicago that he has the physical tools to thrive in the NFL. "The standout traits for this guy are his quickness and his balance," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said on draft weekend. "He's excellent at the second level. He's quick on reach blocks. His makeup is outstanding. When you talk about work ethic, team captain, leadership, all those traits that we stress around here, he brings those to the table." Grasu -- the Bears' 2015 third-round pick -- is expected to be active on game days, at the bare minimum. If Montgomery gets hurt of falters unexpectedly, the Bears likely will not hesitate to put Grasu at center. The job is going to be his sooner or later.