Ranking 5 best UDFAs Chicago Bears signed after 2023 NFL draft
2. Chicago Bears find another UDFA LB in Micah Baskerville
When the Chicago Bears add a UDFA linebacker, ears start to perk up after last year. Now, when that linebacker hails from LSU, fans have to wonder if the team is seeing something Micah Baskerville was a three-year starter at LSU.
He fell to the UDFA ranks mainly because he is undersized. For that small size, he does not have great athletic ability.
Micah Baskerville is a LB prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 1.56 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2239 out of 2652 LB from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/AEEzJLjUkw https://t.co/WTEjIUaa2B pic.twitter.com/9Z2W7aoqTj
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2023
Beyond that, Baskerville is actually better coming downhill and attacking in the run game than he is running backward in coverage. If you are an undersized linebacker it usually helps to be better in coverage because the blockers get bigger in the NFL and the assignments get a lot tougher.
This is why a three-year starter from LSU did not get drafted. However, the coaches obviously like the way he diagnoses in the run game, and he does that well. Also, Baskerville played four phases of special teams for the LSU Tigers.
There are times when his lack of change of direction can hurt him on special teams, but one thing you can see for sure is that he is willing to tackle, and is not afraid to throw himself into the fire. This gives him a decent shot at making the roster. Due to his size, it is hard to see the fit, but he will likely compete for Sterling Weatherford for a last roster spot which mainly includes special teams.