The centerpieces of the Chicago Bears’ 2024 draft class will be quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze. That is to be expected. Both are top 10 picks. Both have arguments for being the best players at their respective positions in the class. If they live up to their potential, the entire landscape of the franchise is about to change. However, the Bears’ class doesn’t end with those two. They selected three other players over the course of that weekend. All three bring plenty of promise.
Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie was heralded by scouts for his outstanding size, length, and athleticism. His intelligence was never in question as well. Iowa punter Tory Taylor was the unquestioned best at his position in the country. His leg strength and accuracy inside the 20 made him a legitimate weapon who could change games. However, neither of them claimed the honor of the most overlooked pick in the class. That went to 5th round pick Austin Booker, according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report.
While the Bears only made three picks after Round 1, it would be unwise to overlook the rest of their draft class. They spent a fifth-rounder on former Kansas pass-rusher Austin Booker, who could easily join Williams and Odunze as a future team centerpiece.
Chicago landed Booker with the 144th overall pick. He was the 85th-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s final draft board and has the tools to become a massive steal.
“Booker is an intriguing Day 2 prospect, as his combination of length and movement skills give him a high ceiling as a pass-rusher in the NFL,” Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. “His change of direction and quickness really stand out on film.”
Defensive coordinator Eric Washington said he couldn’t wait to work with the rookie. Even veteran teammate Montez Sweat admitted he could already see a ton of potential in the young man. Most draft experts gave the Kansas product a 3rd round grade. Much of the uncertainty came from his lack of experience. Booker only started one year of college football. Almost everybody expected him to stay in school for 2024. Coming out early forced teams into a tough decision. Roll the dice or look elsewhere. Most chose the latter. Not Chicago. They traded back into the draft to get him, knowing that he could morph into something special with some patience.
Booker will have an excellent developmental situation around him. Matt Eberflus is a top defensive mind as head coach. Washington is widely considered one of the best defensive line specialists in the NFL. Defensive line coach Travis Smith did great work in Las Vegas with Maxx Crosby and then Gervon Dexter last year. Of course, he’ll also get to pick Sweat’s brain. If the rookie puts in the time to expand his game and reshape his body, it won’t be long before quarterbacks feel his wrath in the NFL, too.
