Austin Booker, pass rusher – NBC Sports Chicago

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Just when we thought the Bears might be done with the 2024 NFL draft, GM Ryan Poles returned to the fifth round and selected Kansas pass rusher Austin Booker with the No. 144 overall pick.

The Bears were widely expected to add a defensive end in this draft, and there was speculation that could be the move at No. 122. But the Poles instead selected Tory Taylor – a punter with a monster leg – and ultimately he got both his boys.

Booker didn’t play much in college, with just 505 snaps to his name per PFF. But he produced a ton in his limited playing time, with eight sacks and 12 TFL last season. However, the Bears were most impressed with his high pressure. Even when he didn’t get home for a sack, the Bears saw him impact the quarterback.

“You turn on the tape and you see everything you need to see,” Bears scout John Syty said. “I mean, the way this kid wins, the way he can win outside with speed, the way he can get under the counter and then deceptively one of his best qualities is this kid’s ability to win with power .”

The Bears also believe Booker has room to develop into an even better player. Specifically, they think he can add more weight to his frame and will improve with more experience.

Booker doesn’t want to push for starting snaps opposite Montez Sweat, but he could play a rotation role behind both Sweat and DeMarcus Walker. However, as a fifth-round pick, the Bears don’t need him to be a star right away. If he can develop into a solid pass rusher, as he learns from Sweat and Walker, the pick will be a success.

Judging a player before he even has a shot in the NFL is inherently unfair, but we’re going to do it anyway. Given what we know, and the team’s need to shore up the defensive line, here’s the immediate grade we’re handing out.

Figure: B+

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