(670 The Score) The term "raw" is often used to describe new Bears pass rusher Austin Booker, a fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Booker is fine with that. In his mind, it isn't an indictment as much as a reminder of what could be coming.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Booker said. “I'm 21, so I know I have a lot of years ahead of me to get stronger, get faster. So, just looking to keep growing in the NFL.”
By the end of the fourth round Saturday, Chicago had exhausted all of its 2024 draft capital but kept an eye on Booker as he continued to fall. General manager Ryan Poles had only planned to deal back into the draft if a coveted prospect was still available, and that was Booker in the Bears' mind.
The Bears traded a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Bills for No. 144 overall in the fifth round, which coincidentally was initially their own selection. Chicago traded that draft slot to Buffalo in March to acquire veteran offensive lineman Ryan Bates. In the end, it also used that pick to bring in Booker.
“A guy that we thought had tremendous upside,” Poles said. “We love his length, we love how hard he plays and we just see a ton of upside. He’s 21 years old, a lot of growth and development there.
“He’s just got a natural ability to just rush the passer and understand that when he gets to the top of the rush, if he gets stuck, he can work back inside. We saw a lot of that on tape as well. But most impressed by his hustle and his disposition in the way that he plays the position.”
The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Booker had eight sacks and 12 tackles for a loss in 12 games last season, when he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. Prior to the 2023 campaign, he transferred from Minnesota to Kansas, where he earned a greater opportunity with the Jayhawks.
If Booker had decided to return to the college game next season, he would've been in position to see his draft stock rise considerably. But he was ready to declare for the NFL now.
“I feel like I was mentally and physically ready to compete at the higher level,” Booker said. “But also, it's good to strike while the iron's hot. Never know what's going to happen next year, and I felt like I was ready, so I left.”
The Bears got an up-close evaluation of Booker at the Senior Bowl in January, which confirmed their initial conviction regarding his raw upside. They saw a player who can continue to improve in the NFL.
As a rookie in 2024, Booker will compete for the starting job opposite of Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat. The Bears' other edge rushers are DeMarcus Walker, Jacob Martin and Dominique Robinson.
Before Booker can earn his opportunity, he must showcase the necessary growth.
“I mean, he’s still becoming a man and growing into his body,” said Bears scout John Syty, who evaluated Booker as a prospect. “So, for us, that’s probably the biggest thing. You talk about a kid who is still 21, going to be 22 in December, has all the tools that you look for in pass rushers. It’s just getting him into the system, developing him, allowing him to just continue to grow into his frame, continue to fill out.
“Austin’s a HITS principle kid from the start.”
For his part, Booker is eager to play for Bears defensive line coach Travis Smith, who previously helped Raiders star Maxx Crosby grow as a young player.
Moments after the Bears drafted Booker, he received a message of congratulations from Sweat. Booker responded by saying he’s ready to work.
“I'm just excited to get there in Chicago and learn from him and just keep getting better," Booker said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .
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