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3 traits that make Devin Bush a ‘can’t miss’ pick for the Steelers

By Tommy Jaggi

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 05: Wes Brown #5 of the Maryland Terrapins tries to outrun Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines after a second half catch on November 5, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 59-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 05: Wes Brown #5 of the Maryland Terrapins tries to outrun Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines after a second half catch on November 5, 2016 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 59-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. High effort

The term ‘hustle player’ has a very negative connotation to it when it comes to the NFL. Your mind probably went to a player that rides the bench and doesn’t possess good athleticism, but tries overly hard every chance he gets (i.e. Tyler Matakevich).

However, a player’s effort (or lack thereof) can determine how high or low their ceiling is.

A player who has poor athleticism but great effort (like Matakevich) can stick around in the league and make contributions for a surprisingly long time (albeit, usually not at a high level).  A player with great athleticism but poor effort (like Martavis Bryant) never end up living up to expectations, and turn out to be disappointments as a result. A player with both great athleticism and effort could be something special.

A perfect example of this is T.J. Watt. Though Watt was a one-year wonder in college, it was easy to tell from his film that he possessed both elite athleticism and an elite motor. When a player has all of the tools you could ask for, and the relentless effort of a player fighting desperately to make the roster, you typically get a great football player.

This is Devin Bush. Anyone who has watched game film on Devin Bush can see that, not only is he the best athlete on the field, he also has an elite engine that is running full throttle on every play.

This is a trait that absolutely translates to the NFL, and Devin Bush has it.

MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

3. Instincts

The first two traits by themselves have the makings of a virtually can’t miss player, but this third trait is icing on the cake.

There are bad linebackers who are great athletes. In the same way, there are bad linebackers who have great motors. However, when you combine the two traits together and throw in great instincts with it, you become a can’t miss player.

Despite what you may have heard on some scouting reports, Devin Bush possesses excellent instincts. He is the best linebacker in this draft class at reading and reacting, and he can begin to move in the direction of the play before the ball is even snapped.

I beg you to think of an NFL linebacker (or really any player for that matter) who has a combination of great instincts, athleticism, and effort, but is not a great football player. You probably can’t do it.

These three traits are essential to evaluating talent, and Devin Bush has all three.

Next. Top 30 greatest Pittsburgh Steelers of the 2000’s. dark

So before you get upset and start ridiculing me for including Devin Bush in a list of the top 30 Steelers of the 2000’s, remember these three traits it takes to make a quality football player. Bud Dupree, Artie Burns, and Jarvis Jones didn’t have them. Devin Bush does, and I think he will be a very good NFL player.

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