The Green Bay Packers might use some help on the edge, and Brian Gutekunst is preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft by bringing Austin Booker in for a top-30 visit.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero told X on Wednesday, April 10, that the Packers had a top-30 meeting with Booker. The Kansas EDGE prospect has also met with teams like as the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.
Booker will most likely not be considered for the 25th overall pick. The Packers, on the other hand, may consider him in the second or third round with one of their four Day 2 picks.
Austin Booker Scouting Report
Booker is one of the most rapidly growing EDGE prospects in this class, and it’s simple to understand why.
Booker was a three-star prospect out of Indiana’s Center Grove High School, with over a dozen FBS offers. He began his college career at Minnesota before transferring to Kansas after two seasons.
The Jayhawks benefited from Booker’s presence in 2023. He concluded the season with eight sacks, twelve tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. That performance helped him earn First-Team All-Big 12 accolades and the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year title.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein rates Booker highly, predicting that he will eventually be a strong starter. He even compared Booker to Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders’ star player.
“Truly unique prospect combining tremendous upside with an extremely limited sample size,” Zierlein noted of Booker. “A more conservative approach on Booker’s grade might be prudent, but it becomes a difficult route to take when observing his length, explosive athleticism and rush talent.”
Booker stands 6’4″ and weighs 240 pounds, making him slightly smaller than other EDGE prospects. However, given his length, athleticism, and ability to bend around the pocket as a pass rusher, it’s clear why the Packers were interested enough to bring him in for a top-30 visit.
The Packers Need EDGE Help.
Although it may not appear to be the most pressing necessity, the Packers may benefit from having an EDGE like Booker.
New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is bringing a 4-3 base scheme to Green Bay. This means a need for slightly different body types at defensive end compared to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
EDGE will be a long-term and short-term requirement in Enagbare’s absence. Preston Smith has been a steady presence up front, but he is currently 31 years old. It’s also uncertain how the defensive scheme change would affect him, and he may be a cap casualty in 2025 or 2026.
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