Bears add edge rusher Austin Booker

The Chicago Bears selected Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 144 overall.

Booker figures to be a rotational rusher for the Bears while he refines his game.

He joins a pass-rushing unit that ranked 31st in the NFL last season with just 30 sacks.

Pre-draft profile

Booker is one of the most difficult evaluations in this class because he hardly played in college. He had just over 500 snaps over three years with Minnesota and Kansas. But what he did show in his final year with the Jayhawks was intriguing. His rush plans are already quite varied despite his limited playing time, his hands are fast and active, and he's almost always gaining ground. However, he'll need some extra strength and coaching to unlock his potential and compete against NFL blockers. The strength needs to become more apparent in the run game, where Booker can let offensive linemen and tight ends get under his pads.