The Steelers are no doubt pleased with their decision to trade up for Devin Bush. Here’s why a re-draft has him going even higher than the 10th overall pick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a linebacker heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, and Devin Bush was a player that was no doubt on their radar. Pittsburgh’s linebacker play was a mess the previous season, and Jon Bostic looked lost and out of place trying to fill the Mack linebacker role that was once dominated by Ryan Shazier.
Though Bush was on Pittsburgh’s radar, they knew he would be going far too high to make it to them at pick 20. Because of this, the Steelers elected to trade up to pick 10 overall to secure the uber-talented young linebacker – a decision they would likely do again today, given the chance.
But according to an NFL re-draft by Bleacher Report, trading up to the 10th overall pick would not be enough to get the job done. Kristopher Knox has Bush going to the Buffalo Bills with the 9th overall pick in a 2019 re-draft. Here is some of what he had to say about the pick:
"With Oliver off the board, the Bills instead address the second level of their defense. They grab former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush—he originally went to the Pittsburgh Steelers a spot later after they traded up. Bush appeared in all 16 games, amassing 109 tackles, a sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble for the Steelers."
The Bills drafted Ed Oliver with this pick last season – a player they are no doubt pleased with after earning 5.0 sacks as a rookie in 7 starts. However, Bush would be a solid selection with Oliver off the board.
With Bush and Devin White both gone, Knox has the Steelers standing pat at pick 20 and taking former Alabama defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams. Even with a lackluster rookie season, it’s still a shock to see the former star defensive tackle slip this far in the draft.
Williams would more than fill the shoes of the departed Javon Hargrave, and his ability to get after the quarterback from the middle of the defense would be most welcome.
Though this is just a fictional scenario, the general media seems to approve of the Steelers move to mortgage a first, second, and third-round pick to move up to take Devin Bush in the draft. At 21 years old, he is only starting to scratch the surface of his potential.
Bush may not be the biggest or strongest linebacker, but his 97th percentile athleticism and ability to read a defense are traits that are unmatched by most players his age.
Pittsburgh may not be able to land Bush in a 2019 re-draft, but fortunately, they don’t have to worry about that scenario. His addition to an already talented Steelers defense could be a recipe for success for years to come.