The initial stages of free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft are now behind us. Without question, the Bears have done a great job adding young talent to the roster this offseason. 

General manager Ryan Poles made 10 selections in the draft and signed 16 undrafted free agents. 

Today I want to take a look at three UDFAs who have the best shot at cracking the roster in 2023. 

 Micah Baskerville, LB, LSU

Baskerville is a player who many thought would get drafted due to his multiple years of experience starting in the SEC. The former LSU Tiger had an inconsistent college career, sometimes starting and sometimes being a rotational player only. 

However, Baskerville had his most productive season in 2022, finishing with 89 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. The linebacker has a high football IQ and is effective in a zone defense covering the pass. One negative on Baskerville is his inconsistent tackling. However, with newcomers TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds being two of the best tacklers in the league, this might not be too prohibitive. 

In 2022, Jack Sanborn made the roster as an undrafted linebacker. Baskerville could do the same in 2023, serving as high upside depth behind Edwards and Edmunds. 

Gabe Houy, OL, Pittsburgh

Houy has the prototypical size for an offensive tackle in the NFL, standing at 6'6", 325 lbs. Houy struggles in run blocking and might not have the quickness to keep up with NFL edge rushers. However, if Houy can improve his footwork, he could be a solid pass blocker in the league. 

With the Bears adding multiple receiving threats this offseason, the team could use more quality pass blockers. While all five starting spots on the line seem set, the depth leaves much to be desired. 

Larry Borom, Alex Leatherwood, and Kellen Diesch present the depth options at tackle currently. Houy could crack that group with a solid camp and pre-season. 

Justin Broiles, S, Oklahoma

Broiles had a productive five-year career for the Sooners. His best season came in 2022 when the safety finished with 71 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception. 

Broiles was always a long shot to get drafted due to his size. Standing at 5'10", and weighing under 200 pounds, Broiles is smaller than a typical NFL safety. Additionally, Broiles had one of the worst Relative Athletic Scores ever.

However, poor athletic testing or not, Broiles was productive in college. He's feisty and not afraid to make plays on the ball. His best role is either as a nickel corner or strictly as a gunner on special teams. Due to the Bears' mediocre depth in the secondary, it is not outside of the realm of possibility that Broiles sneaks onto the roster as a depth/project piece.