Bulls News: Booker looking to develop his physicality, learn from Sweat |
Chicago could not get out of the 2024 NFL Draft without someone on defense. So, they traded back into the draft to acquire the No. 144 overall pick, gave their 2025 fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills, and used the No. 144 overall pick to draft Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker.
Booker was one of the surprises in the draft. As someone who played only three seasons and 18 games during those three years, it was highly anticipated that Booker would wait at least one more year to declare for the NFL Draft. However, he explained his decision to declare now rather than wait. “I feel like I was mentally, physically ready to be at the higher level,” Booker said. “But also, it’s good to strike when the iron’s hot; never know what’s going to happen next year, and I felt like I was ready, so I left.” He played his first two seasons with Minnesota, only starting six games in that time, and never recorded a sack. Last season with Kansas was the only year he was a starter, recording eight sacks (third in the Big 12) and two forced fumbles (fourth in the Big 12). His time with Kansas was the only true glimpse the Bears had of him as a starter and the gifts that he brings to Chicago. Coming to the Bears, he will be playing in a different defensive scheme than he has ever been a part of. “I got speed, I got length, I got strength, and being able to use all those at once is a gift that I have, and I’m about to use it at the next level,” Booker said. “I’ve played a four-down my whole career - college and high school - but I also know I have the athleticism to play on that three-down. So, just having the versatility is only a plus for me moving forward. So, I’m excited to run in the 4-3, get my hand in the dirt again, so just looking forward towards that.” For a player like Booker, the NFL Combine was an opportunity to elevate his platform and show what he can do. Unfortunately, his Combine performance left much to be desired. He ran a 4.79 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 32.5 inches. “It definitely wasn’t what I wanted to get out of it,” Booker said. “But, I felt like the football portion of it went amazing. The drills went great. Didn’t run as fast as I wanted or as high as I wanted to jump, but they know I have that on-field speed and that on-field athleticism.” Next Gen Stats ranks him high in his production as he was No. 10 out of all defensive ends and edge rushers in the draft class in production. However, his athleticism score of 53 is incredibly low. Still, as an incredibly young player, he has time to develop his athleticism to the level of an NFL player. “I’m 21, so I know I have a lot of years ahead of me to get better, get stronger, get faster,” Booker said. “So, just looking to keep growing in the NFL.” Another aspect working in Booker’s favor is that he will be working alongside edge rusher Montez Sweat who is coming off his first Pro Bowl season after becoming the first player in NFL history to record at least six sacks with two different teams in the same season. Booker is already taking advantage of this opportunity and has been in contact with Sweat. “It’s a great opportunity. We already hopped on (direct message) on Instagram. Already said (we’re) about to get to work,” Booker said. “So, I’m just excited to get there in Chicago, learn from him, and just keep getting better.”
