Austin Booker DE/EDGE Kansas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Austin Booker DE/EDGE Kansas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.79 seconds (59%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.79 seconds (59%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 85.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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63% |
| Pass Rush: |
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89% |
| Run Defense: |
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86% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#68
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 15 College Snaps: 505 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Thomas - San Diego State |
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92% |
| Colby Wooden - Auburn |
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85% |
| Patrick Jones II - Pittsburgh |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Austin Booker emerged as a solid prospect after a standout season at Kansas, following his transfer from Minnesota. Coming from Indiana, where he was a top-10 player and a three-star recruit, Booker showcased his multifaceted talent not only in football but also in basketball during high school. His collegiate career began to shine at Kansas, where he registered impressive statistics. Booker played 12 games and took part in 482 snaps for the Jayhawks. He recorded 39 tackles, 14 assists, while adding 34 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 37 total pressures, 26 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and an impressive 9 sacks during the year.Scouting Report: Strengths
- Displays an explosive first step and excellent movement skills, which significantly enhance his pass-rush efficiency.
- Utilizes his long arms and impressive wingspan effectively to disrupt offensive lines and quarterbacks alike.
- Boasts a wide array of pass-rush moves, including a cross chop and ghost rush, showcasing his versatility on the field.
- Demonstrates solid bend and leverage in his rush, enabling him to overcome blockers with finesse and power.
- Quick to recognize and react to run plays, showing physicality and block-shedding ability at the point of attack.
- Exhibits good pass rush planning and anticipation, ensuring he remains a constant threat on every down.
- His athleticism permits coverage flexibility, allowing him to drop back efficiently and cover short zones when required.
- A relentless motor and pursuit ethic keep him actively involved in plays, making him a disruptive force across the field.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks extensive college playing experience, with only one season of significant playing time to his name.
- Though wiry and agile, he currently lacks the strength to consistently hold up against the run, necessitating further physical development.
- Initial explosiveness off the line is variable, affecting his ability to consistently threaten with speed on the edge.
- His transition between run and pass plays, particularly against play-action, needs refinement for quicker adaptation.
- While his pass-rush toolkit is broad, further development of a detailed pass-rush plan and counter-moves is needed.
Scouting Report: Summary
Austin Booker is a high-ceiling prospect whose draft evaluation is a tale of potential versus rawness. His explosiveness off the edge and diverse pass-rush toolbox make him a disruptive force in the backfield. These assets, along with his ability to set the edge and diagnose plays quickly, align with the NFL's premium on edge defenders who can pressure the quarterback. However, his transition from college to the pros will be under scrutiny due to his lean frame and limited snaps at the collegiate level. Booker will need to bulk up and enhance his functional strength to withstand the rigors of the NFL trenches and improve his consistency against the run.His raw traits suggest a developmental curve that, if navigated successfully, could see him evolve from a situational pass-rush specialist to an every-down player. Booker represents both a challenge and an opportunity for NFL teams. His projection as a Day 2 or Day 3 pick reflects a balance of risk and reward, with his immediate fit likely in a rotational role that capitalizes on his pass-rush ability while he rounds out his game. For teams willing to invest in his development, Booker offers the archetype of a modern NFL edge rusher—pretty athletic (although not elite), versatile, and capable of becoming a cornerstone on defense with the right coaching and scheme fit.
Austin Booker percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Austin Booker (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
75.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
21.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.