Even The Bills' Starters Couldn't Handle Austin Booker

People didn't want to believe Austin Booker was anything special in his debut against the Houston Texans last week. The evidence was there. He generated heat on the quarterback multiple times, threw tackles out of the way, and looked like an NFL pass rusher from the jump. Still, the common excuse was immediately made. He didn't play anybody. It was all against backups. Just wait until he runs into actual starters. They'd show everybody this kid is nothing but a preseason hype job.

Well, the Buffalo Bills got the opportunity to prove this point. Booker played with the Chicago Bears' starting defense in the first quarter and happened to get matched up against three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins twice. Both times, the rookie drove him backward so sharply that it opened a lane to the inside. Fortunately for Buffalo, Josh Allen took off running on the first play and Mitch Trubisky threw it quickly on the second. Both could've ended with sacks.

Booker ended the game with 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss, and three QB hits, terrorizing the Bills offense for all 60 minutes.

Austin Booker is not a fluke.

You only have to watch him for five minutes to realize this. The guy is 240 lbs but hits with the power of somebody closer to 300. He's quick, nimble, athletic, and has serious closing burst. What truly stands out the most is his motor. Every single snap is played at 1,000 miles per hour. The only reason people aren't buying in is because he's a 5th round pick. Players taken that late aren't supposed to have an impact this quickly. That is especially true for somebody with so little playing experience.

Don't forget Austin Booker spent the first two years of his college career on the bench in Minnesota. It wasn't until he transferred to Kansas last season. There, he promptly posted eight sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. Most experts agree he would've likely ended up at least a 2nd round pick in 2025 had he stayed in school for another year. That trade by the Bears to jump back into the draft to get him is looking more and more brilliant by the day. It is getting easier to see why the team is in no hurry to sign a veteran pass rusher.