2024 NFL Draft: Edge rusher Austin Booker picked by Bears
Former Center Grove High School pass rusher Austin Booker was picked in the fifth round (144th overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Booker played one season at Kansas and turned heads in the Senior Bowl. He had 56 tackles (12 for loss, 8 sacks) in 2023. Booker had played sparingly in two years at Minnesota.
“I feel like I had a very good season, and that it’s good to go out now,” Booker said. “Staying in college and dominating in the same conference wouldn’t benefit me as much as moving on.
“I feel that being comfortable doesn’t make anyone better.”
Austin Booker NFL Draft profile
Height: 6-4 1/2
Weight: 240 pounds
Hands: 9 1/4 inches
Wingspan: 81 1/2 inches
Strengths: Quick at the snap; possesses basketball-player wingspan with a frame that is sure to add more mass; willing run defender who purses well; high motor.
Weaknesses: Will need to add bulk; needs more experience and learn more pass rushing moves; could struggle against downhill run attacks without trying to elude blocks.
NFL.com prospect grade: 6.35 (an eventual plus starter; NFL comparison is Maxx Crosby)
Austin Booker NFL Scouting Combine results
40-yard dash: 4.79 seconds
10-yard split: 1.67 seconds
Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet
Austin Booker scouting reports
From NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: Truly unique prospect combining tremendous upside with an extremely limited sample size. 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. His reps against talented Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could be the springboard to push this gifted edge defender with monster traits up the draft board toward an exciting NFL career.
From A.J. Schulte of Pro Football Network: "For a player with as little experience as Booker, his technical development is ahead of many prospects I’ve scouted with double his snap counts. He has a great pass-rush plan set up every time pre-snap, and his understanding of run concepts keeps him actively involved and rarely suckered."
Austin Booker highlights
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Draft 2024: Bears select Center Grove edge rusher Austin Booker
