Bears rookie Austin Booker puts on a show vs. Bills

The Chicago Bears went into the 2024 NFL draft needing another dynamic edge defender to pair with star Montez Sweat, and they might have found their man in rookie fifth-round pick Austin Booker.

Booker was so highly thought of by the Bears’ decision-makers that they traded a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to grab Booker in the fifth round this year, and so far, it looks like they’ve made a wise investment.

The former Kansas Jayhawk was dominant in Saturday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, putting up impressive numbers:

Austin Booker today ??
5 Tackles
2.5 Sacks
3 QB hits
2 TFL

Have yourself a GAME rookie!!!! Lets go!! pic.twitter.com/BvKXQ0PjDe

— Sadeek (@SadeekNextWave) August 10, 2024

Booker has an impressive blend of power, speed and explosiveness, and his relentless motor was on full display throughout Saturday’s game. If he can continue to play at that level and put up that kind of production, he’ll be able to win that starting job across from Sweat, and provide some serious value that’s rare from a rookie fifth-rounder.