NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears wrapped up NFL Draft weekend by making 5 picks. They didn’t check every box on their to-do list, but General Manager Ryan Poles looks to have solidified a busy offseason with immediate impact starters and depth. We’ll meet the Bears’ draft picks, get to know a bit about their past, and where they project to go moving forward.
Previous: QB Caleb Williams, WR Rome Odunze, OL Kiran Amegadjie, P Tory Taylor
AUSTIN BOOKER (ROUND 5, PICK 144)
In his final mock draft before the big one, Patrick pegged Austin Booker as a Bears third-round fit. That the team was able to get him in Round 5 makes it feel like a steal. This is what was said about Booker before he was a Bear:
Booker brings tremendous upside to the table and gives the Bears an intriguing edge rushing prospect opposite Montez Sweat. Booker needs to pack on some pounds but has the burst and speed to chase down quarterbacks and running backs on the edge. He has the moves to win inside as well. He’s a gifted pass rusher available where he is due simply to a small sample size.
Doesn’t that read like the type of profile you’d find on a player that Matt Eberflus would love coaching? Yeah, I think so, too.
AUSTIN BOOKER HIGHLIGHTS
THREE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS
Size and length are good strengths to have. But what comes up when you watch Booker is how he leverages his levers and uses his athleticism to make plays. Don’t get it twisted. The long arms that get compared to a basketball player’s wingspan are wonderful to have. But if you’re a player who can’t take advantage of it, then it is useless. Producing at the next level will be more challenging than it was when he was in the collegiate ranks, but the athleticism and size are things that Austin Booker can use to catapult his pro career.
WEAKNESSES
Perhaps one reason Booker went later than expected is because of his limited playing time. Austin Booker doesn’t have a ton of game film out there, and I can imagine that made it a tough sell for some general managers. Scouts will pound the table for guys, but it would make sense if a GM were to side with a player who has more film than someone who is less experienced. With that being said, I can see the Bears working on getting Booker’s strength and stamina up, while also refining his technique so those weaknesses can eventually become strengths.
RELATIVE ATHLETIC SCORE
Relative Athletic Score grades player measurements on a 0-10 scale and compares them to their contemporaries. It is a unique way to give some of these prospects some more depth and perspective.
This feels like the first tie we’re seeing a Ryan Poles draft pick whose RAS graphic isn’t full of green boxes. Even still … athleticism and length are two things that stand out in the Austin Booker profile. Heck, his RAS still ranked 536th of 1,798 defensive ends from 1987-2024 — which puts him comfortably in the top half of his position group.
WHERE HE FITS
A situational pass-rusher early, Austin Booker will ideally develop into a starting defensive end who shines opposite of Montez Sweat.
Between reading up on Austin Booker and watching some clips, his game reminds me of Leonard Floyd. Like Floyd, Booker is long, lean, and has shown an ability to generate pressure because of how he uses his length to his advantage. Floyd didn’t hit his stride until after leaving the Bears. And that still bums me out. But perhaps some professional coaching and working out in an NFL weight room will ultimately lead Booker to level up in 2024 and beyond.
It feels like it is too early to pencil Booker into a starting role at this time. For now, I’d put DeMarcus Walker as the defensive end starting opposite of Montez Sweat. But that doesn’t mean Booker can’t eventually slide into the starting lineup. However, there is no need to rush him into a role that he isn’t ready to play yet.
To get things started, the Bears would be wise to ease Austin Booker into a situational pass-rusher role to begin his pro career. That way, the team can potentially take advantage of his strengths as an edge defender while also not overloading him with responsibilities early as a rookie. And if Booker plays his way into a bigger gig, then that would be a wonderful development. If not, then it will be OK because the Bears won’t be relying on him to be something he isn’t in Year 1.
