Steelers rookie LB Devin Bush out to prove that size doesn’t matter

Devin Bush was labeled as ‘undersized’ for the linebacker position in the NFL, but the Steelers 1st round pick is out to prove doubters wrong.

The Pittsburgh Steelers did something this offseason that you don’t see very often (if ever). Kevin Colbert and the front office elected to trade up into the top 10 to draft a 5’11” linebacker.

If I would have told you this a decade ago, you may have been shaking your head at the though of giving away a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round draft choice to land a guy that is too small for the position. However, the game is changing, and the Steelers are adapting to it.

During the pre-draft process, the biggest (and perhaps the only) knock on Michigan linebacker, Devin Bush, was his size (or rather, lack thereof).

Standing at just 5’11”on the dot and weighing 234 pounds, Bush would have certainly been a safety in the 90’s or even the early 2000’s. But the Steelers saw a breed of player that is perfect for today’s game at linebacker.

After hearing all the ‘small’ talk during the draft process, Devin Bush is out to prove his doubters wrong, and show what type of linebacker he can be.

In a recent interview, Tim Benz of TribLIVE captured Devin Bush saying the following about his game in regards to his size:

"“I’m a grown man as much as anyone else in this locker room. I’m here to play football. Nothing changes… I’m low to the ground. Very quick. Explosive off the first step. I can generate a lot of power with my legs and my arms. Being able to use my athleticism in the middle to have that quick burst — that strength — to withstand the bigger guys, I think that’s the biggest advantage when I rush inside.”"

Bush made it a point to talk about using his lack of height to his advantage. On film, Devin Bush converts speed to power as well as any 230 pound linebacker. As odd as it sounds, I think Bush’s low center of gravity actually helps his contact balance and not getting washed out every play against the run.

Devin Bush packs a mean punch and is surprisingly stout going up against blockers. Comparing him to a player like Ryan Shazier, Bush has more functional, compact strength. While Shazier was two inches taller with longer arms, his playing weight was about the same. However, Shazier’s length actually worked against him at times, and he often was washed out against the run.

I won’t try to talk up Devin Bush too much just yet (as he obviously has yet to see any NFL action). However, I will say that – despite his size – Bush was a legitimate 1st round prospect. I had Devin Bush slated as the 7th overall player on my 2019 NFL Draft big board, and I haven’t felt more confident about a Steelers pick since taking David DeCastro in 2012.

Bush still has a long way to go to prove that he was worthy of a top 10 selection. However, his speed and explosion are coveted at the linebacker position in today’s NFL. I think the Steelers made the right decision trading up for Devin Bush, and he is on a mission to prove his doubters wrong.