4 Steelers set to breakout during the 2021 NFL season

Steelers LB Devin Bush

Devin Bush found his name on this list last season heading into his sophomore campaign. The team had their largest trade-up in the draft since they landed Troy Polamalu in 2003 in order to acquire Bush, and he was thrust into the starting role right away. He flashed plenty of promise early on, and it was expected of him to build off that last year.

He was on the right track last season until he tore his ACL against the Browns. Now, he retains his role as top-dog on the defense, but he really needs to go from a good starter to a pro-bowl level player this season. He needs to be the lead communicator, a top coverage linebacker, and a dominant run stopper from the first week to the last week this season.

Luckily for Bush, he will have every opportunity to do that. The defense has slightly regressed, but the front-seven is still a dominant force that he should be able to help lead. Like how Devin White was seen last year for the Buccaneers, Bush needs to become that dominant force that was expected from him when he was traded up for. If he stays healthy, there is little reason to think that Bush won’t be considered one of the top overall linebackers in the NFL by season’s end.