5 best building blocks on the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021
By Tommy Jaggi
4. LB Devin Bush
Devin Bush would have a chance to be even higher on this list if it wasn’t for a season-ending ACL tear just 5 games into his second NFL season. As a rookie, Bush was unsurprisingly a bit inconsistent and he struggled at times in coverage. However, he was also responsible for 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 4 fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown.
The splash plays have been there for Bush. Now it’s just a matter of refining his game and recognizing coverages. The former Michigan star and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year tested as an elite athlete at the NFL Combine with 4.43 speed and a 40.5” vertical.
In addition to the terrific upside and promise he has shown early on, Bush still has two years remaining on his rookie deal and a fifth-year option after that. The young linebacker is entering year three but turns just 23 years old in July.
Last year, we saw Buccaneers linebacker, Devin White, struggle early in the season, but become one of the best linebackers in the league by the end of the year. I wouldn’t be shocked to see similar results from Bush. Thanks to his youth, athletic traits, and playmaking ability, I have Devin Bush as Pittsburgh’s fourth-best building block on the team entering 2021.