2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season

The Steelers have never properly replaced Ryan Shazier in the middle of their defense, and the need for an athletic young linebacker was painfully obvious throughout this season in Pittsburgh.

Vince Williams has flashed some promise, but Jon Bostic struggled. Bostic signed a two-year deal in the offseason, but Pittsburgh could save nearly $2 million by releasing him after the season, a not-insignificant amount, particularly with the potential that they are forced to eat some dead money in an Antonio Brown trade sometime soon.

The Brown situation has reached a fever-pitch, and it’s tough to see how the two sides reconcile after Brown refused to show up for work while the Steelers fought for a playoff berth in Week 17. That could lead them down the path of grabbing a first round WR, but the Steelers are an organization that has long prided themselves on not reaching for need, instead grabbing the best player available.

Bush could potentially do both, filling the obvious need for help in the middle of a mediocre defense. He isn’t quite as talented as Devin White, but he also represents the evolution of the position with a slighter frame and ability to move sideline-to-sideline while holding up in pass coverage in league that is increasingly pass-happy.

If Bush is off the board, which is very possible, it would be a reach for the Steelers to look at any other linebacker here, even if Alabama’s Mack Wilson declares. Wilson has struggled throughout his junior season, and would probably be better off with another year in Tuscaloosa instead of leaving early for the draft.

In the case that Bush is gone, Pittsburgh could look at some secondary help in Byron Murphy or Julian Love.