Grading the Chicago Bears’ selection of Kansas EDGE Austin Booker in fifth round

The Chicago Bears traded back into the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to address one of their biggest roster needs and select Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker.

Booker (6’4′, 240 pounds) had eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2023. He’s viewed as an ascending talent who would’ve benefited from another year of college football, but he opted to turn pro this year and will now have the opportunity to learn the finer points of pass rushing from Montez Sweat.

“Truly unique prospect combining tremendous upside with an extremely limited sample size,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote about Booker. “A more conservative approach on Booker’s grade might be prudent, but it becomes a difficult route to take when observing his length, explosive athleticism and rush talent. Booker needs to get bigger and stronger, but that will come. The diversity of his rush approach is unheard of for a player with so little playing time. He can stride and dip at the top of the rush or beat tackles back inside with a Euro step or spin counter. He can stab and long-arm tackles into the pocket or stay separated from them at the point of attack. He chases quarterbacks and running backs with agility and burst but can be inconsistent dealing with a downhill running game.”

Austin Booker mid-season highlights. The length, agility and change of direction are all elite. He’s a bonafide star and a future pro. pic.twitter.com/KMMF025XOu

— We good? (@gifhawk2) October 25, 2023

The Bears entered the 2024 NFL Draft with Sweat and Demarcus Walker are the likely starters with only Dominique Robinson, and raw and still underdeveloped edge rusher, behind them.

Enter Booker, who should immediately challenge Robinson to be the first pass rusher off the bench. The Chicago Bears traded a 2025 fourth-round pick to move up for the Jayhawks standouts, which suggests they have legitimate plans for him potentially as soon as this year.

Bears fans have to be happy with this selection, especially after Chicago snagged punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round, sparking frustration within the fan base that edge rusher wouldn’t be addressed. A few moments later, GM Ryan Poles once again came through.

It’s a good pick that fills a massive need.

GRADE: B