Devin Bush, Linebacker
When Bush went down with a torn ACL during Week Six, it felt like the entire defense lost its spirit. Yes, they still dominated, and T.J Watt continued to be great. It was as if Batman had lost Robin. Bush, when healthy, is the Steelers’ second-best defender, and after the departure of Bud Dupree, Bush will now have to step up even more for this Steelers’ defense.
Out of the three players I mentioned, Bush is undoubtedly the most exciting player to watch during OTAs. He is only 22 years old, which makes him younger than Najee Harris, and for someone that young who has already shown tremendous upside, many would argue that Bush will be able to pick up right where he left off before his injury.
ACL tears are challenging, especially for linebackers regarding their explosiveness on the field, but Devin Bush feels different. Bush had over one hundred tackles in his rookie season, two interceptions, and a forced fumble, which included a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference. Fans could easily argue that if Bush had not been injured, he would have replicated this success and perhaps furthered his expectations.
There are plenty of players to watch over the course of the season and as we enter deeper into the preseason, the three players mentioned are names to watch over the next few months. I am excited to see how the Steelers silence the critics after it feels as if the entire media and NFL have made them a laughing stock for their implosion at the end of the season.