National Experts Can't Believe How Much Austin Booker Has Improved

Ryan Poles had a plan. If the 3rd round of the 2024 draft unfolded as he hoped, he had a roadmap to what would happen in the 4th and 5th rounds. Minutes later, when Kiran Amegadjie landed with the Chicago Bears, Poles saw it. He would take punter Tory Taylor in the 4th round. Next came the hard part. He would have to find a trade partner with a pick in the 5th round that he could grab—his target: Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker. It was already surprising he hadn't been picked already, but after a big run on pass rushers the odds were good he'd still be on the board.

Sure enough, the Buffalo Bills agreed to a deal that allowed Chicago to jump back into the draft for Booker. At the time, experts saw a thin and underpowered player with exciting athletic tools. He'd need at least a year of development before anything could be determined. Booker managed only 1.5 sacks last season, and people cooled on him. Fast forward to the present day, and things have changed. The second-year defensive end destroyed the Miami Dolphins' offensive line for three sacks in the preseason opener.

What stood out was the way he did it. These weren't cheap coverage sacks. He was beating guys with alarming regularity. Now national experts have taken notice. They agree the Bears may have something.

Austin Booker is close to continuing a Bears tradition.

One would think the organization's history of good pass rushers is littered mostly with high draft picks or big-name veteran additions. In truth, the Bears have been remarkably fortunate at finding gems in later rounds. Richard Dent (124.5 sacks) was an 8th round pick. Jim Osborne (81 sacks) was a 7th round pick. Ed O'Bradovich (51.5 sacks) was a 7th round pick, and Alex Brown (43.5 sacks) was a 4th round pick. Austin Booker could join that fraternity if he blossoms into a legitimate pass rusher moving forward. Landing somebody of any quality in the 5th round would be a huge win for the organization. No doubt Poles would deserve recognition for what he pulled off to make it happen.