2019 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: LB Devin Bush

Do the Pittsburgh Steelers have a need at inside linebacker? Yes. Is Michigan’s Devin Bush a possibility to fill that need? It’s certainly possible and I’m taking a look at the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Background

Devin Bush #10
Michigan
Inside Linebacker
5’11” 233 lbs
Junior

All-American, Big Ten Def. Player of the Year, Two-Time Butkus Award Finalist, 2018 Team Captain, Won High School State Championship in Florida while coached by his father who played in the NFL. Enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.

2018 Stats

79 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks

What’s To Like

Really good motor and has consistently active feet… Diagnoses plays well and takes better than average angles of pursuit… Closing speed is really good… Never fails to deliver a blow when he arrives at the ball carrier… Excellent tackler who uses his shoulders and also utilizes the ‘twisting’ motion taught by many defensive coaches now… Overall demeanor on the field is excellent… Able to lead and get guys into position.

Concerns

Right off the bat is his size. He’s listed at just under six feet but most believe he’ll measure closer to 5’10” or perhaps less… Had just one career interception and did not force or recover a fumble in three years… Not a lot of experience covering man to man, big TEs seemed to be a problem… Doesn’t always get off blocks well, NFL guards and tackles who engage will dominate him… Struggles to hang with RBs out of the backfield.

Verdict

If football were played inside a crate then Devin Bush is a guy you want. His explosiveness, aggression and short-area quickness are all really good. The problem is when Bush gets into space while diagnosing a play. He just doesn’t get around or off of those offensive linemen that come after him from numerous angles. If he can learn to anticipate and read where they are coming from I believe that would help him tremendously because the effort is there. His passion and intensity are wonderful attributes that drive much of his game and also allow him to be a persistent blitzer who can create havoc in the backfield. I see why many have him going to the Steelers at 20 but his overall lack of size pushes him down the board in my opinion.

Grade: Late first/Early Second

Games Watched: 2018 vs Rutgers, 2018 vs Penn State, 2017 vs Florida, 2018 vs Ohio State

Credits: Youtube (Deluded Yinzer), Sports Reference, UM Website, freep.com