Ryan Poles said he might do it less than 24 hours ago. If the right player happened to fall on Day 3, there was a chance the Chicago Bears might trade back into the draft. Sure enough, that is exactly how it played out. The Bears sent a 4th round pick in 2025 to the Buffalo Bills for Chicago’s original 5th round pick they gave away for Ryan Bates. Poles then used the selection on gifted Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker, whom many experts gave a 3rd round grade. Just like that, the Bears have addressed every position of need. What a weekend.
Booker fits the Bears’ profile. He’s 6’4 with 34-inch arms and showcases explosive athleticism. Despite only one year as a full-time starter, he still managed eight sacks for Kansas and clearly has natural instincts for the job. He is far from a polished product, which makes him all the more terrifying. The Bears will be putting him in the hands of Eric Washington, one of the NFL’s best defensive line specialists. If anybody can unlock what Booker is capable of, it’s him.
Ryan Poles masterfully upgraded his roster without mortgaging the future.
He landed arguably the best quarterback and punter in the class, respectively. He also landed the #2 wide receiver. On top of all that, he secured an athletically gifted left tackle prospect in the 3rd round and now an athletically gifted pass rusher in the 5th. All of that comes while still having three picks in the first two rounds next year. This has been an outstanding process to watch unfold for the Bears GM. Every move he has made for the past two months has been deliberate and logical.
This team is poised to do big things in the near future. Ryan Poles had a vision and has executed it beautifully. The Bears have talent everywhere. Each position group has at least one player capable of making a Pro Bowl. It is also one of the NFL’s youngest rosters, so the room for growth is astronomical. If Booker progresses as hoped, that defense will be an even bigger problem than it already is. To say nothing of what the offense might do to people presuming Williams plays like the #1 pick he is.
With all of these “athletically gifted” draft picks (and UDFAs), I really hope the Bears position coaching is better than the past three years.
Time to work. “Promise” and “potential” is worthless as a 6th round draft pick if they have a bunch of clipboard holders and self-congratulation back pat specialists.
There are too many players everyone is “excited” about without any justification. (Hint: Puka Nacoa was drafted in the 5th round too, while CJ Stroud was supposed to be the most “football-dumb” quarterback ever measured).
Saw serval mock drafts predicting the Bear’s take A Booker in the 4th. Great move by R Poles to move back into the 5th to select Booker. This kid will turn a lot of eyes in 24, and be very explosive by 25. He will be a starter across from Sweat in 24, and I see him collecting between 8 & 10 sacks in 24. With 3 players standing 6’6″ on the DL, QB”s will be pressured into errant throws and bad decisions trying to avoid the sack. As good as Detroit , Green Bay and Minnesota are, this Bear’s… Read more »
I’m not worried about Booker’s weight, or his anchor, or his ability to stop the run. At least some of this will develop with coaching and an NFL weight training regime.
The kid can rush the passer. He has moves and skills and instincts that cannot be taught. Absolutely stunned he was still there in round 5.
Pardon me for “pissing” on this “masterful” trade up.
I have been a huge Ryan Poles fan since his hiring. Knew he wouldn’t be a stock exchange artist trading future for present. But would play the long game. This however was not!
They could have drafted Booker instead of the punter THEN drafted the punter. Giving praise for essentially 2 4th rounders on a Punter is insane! Maybe I am the insane one. But I find no joy in the latter of the draft.
You always hope that some of these guys will develop after a couple years. It is gaining that functional strength to physically beat the man in front of him. Prior to last season, everyone was labeling Ed Oliver a bust. It might be why Poles is going with Bates over a rookie too.
Booker is good at seeking out the ballcarrier behind the LOS. Dexter needs to improve there. We are better at DE than going into week 1 last year.