The biggest surprise of the Chicago Bears’ 2024 draft came when everybody assumed they were done. They had selected Iowa punter Tory Taylor in the 4th round, which was their last pick of the weekend. However, GM Ryan Poles had said the day before that some “gold” level players were still on their board. If one of them kept falling, the Bears may look to jump back into the draft to snag one of them. That is precisely what ended up happening. Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker was projected by many to go in the 3rd round. When he somehow slipped into the 5th, Poles felt compelled to act. He sent the Buffalo Bills a 4th rounder in 2025 for the Bears’ original 5th round pick they’d given up for offensive lineman Ryan Bates.
Just like that, Booker was coming to Chicago. People inside Halas Hall were thrilled, feeling they’d gotten a talented young pass rusher with a large toolbox that only needed seasoning and additional mass. What really stood out was the most popular comparison experts made to him. It was Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby. He, too, entered the NFL with a thinner frame but an unusually advanced feel for rushing the passer. Once he bulked up, the guy became a terror. Bears announcer Jeff Joniak mentioned this to Southwest area scout John Syty, who admitted to seeing the same things.
Austin Booker just needs time.
There is one key difference between him and Crosby. The latter played three seasons of college football for Eastern Michigan. He was considerably more experienced than Booker, who only played one. That will likely lead to a transition period for the Bears’ young draft pick. Most experts were shocked when he declared for the draft, feeling he would’ve benefitted from staying in school. If things went as projected, he likely would’ve been a 2nd round pick. That is why the Bears are excited to get him now. They may have gotten a massive bargain.
It comes down to whether they can give him the necessary instructions on excelling in the NFL. This is where hiring a new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington, is huge. Before joining the Bears, he was one of the premier defensive line coaches in the league. Several of his understudies have gone on to make Pro Bowls. If that weren’t enough, defensive line coach Travis Smith was in Las Vegas when they drafted Crosby. He saw how that entire process unfolded. The Bears may have gotten a steal if Austin Booker is up to the challenge.
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