Post-draft hype around Bears EDGE Austin Booker proving to be true

It happens every year. Chicago Bears fans find that Day 3 draft pick to cling to as the “steal” or “diamond in the rough.” And, more often than not, those Day 3 draft picks wash out of the NFL by the time their first preseason ends.

In 2024, that player was Austin Booker. The standout edge rusher from Kansas was considered a higher-value prospect, but he slid to the middle portion of Day 3 because of his “more traits than production” scouting report. He’s young, he’s long, and he’s athletic. But is he a good football player?

So far, Booker’s play on the field has matched the post-draft hype, and it’s been a blast to watch.

#Bears rookie Austin Booker launching the Bills right guard then pushing him back to the quarterback for a sack. pic.twitter.com/A0zh97KkJE

— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) August 11, 2024

Booker starred in the Bears’ Week 1 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills, finishing with 2.5 sacks and his arrow pointing way up. He has the attention of defensive coordinator Eric Washington, too.

“He’s getting better. He’s doing good things,” Washington said Tuesday from Halas Hall. ‘He was physical with his rushes. He never gave up on the rushes.”