2019 NFL Draft: 10 players who could fall out of the first round

Michigan linebacker Devin Bush is the evolutionary new-age linebacker for the modern-era of football. Typically, Bush’s slight frame at just 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds would prevent him from being able to play middle linebacker in the NFL.

In this era, teams are more and more looking for players like Bush who are versatile enough to play across schemes and shift from inside-to-outside. Bush has sideline-to-sideline ability to make plays against the run, and he’s also proven to be good in coverage against running backs and tight ends.

Bush can also put his hand in the dirt in certain situations and be an effective pass rusher similar to how the Patriots utilize Dont’a Hightower.

His lack of length is concerning, however, as Bush does struggle to effectively get off of blocks to make plays on ball carriers. If that’s a noticeable detriment to his game in college, it will only get further emphasized when he gets drafted into the NFL.

Bush isn’t a fit in every scheme, though, and his suitors might be limited as a result. Some coaches still covet the big, run-thumping linebackers.

He won’t catch LSU’s Devin White for the top inside linebacker in this class, and with Alabama’s Mack Wilson foregoing his senior season to enter the draft, even with his struggles in 2018, Bush has that much more competition for the No. 2 spot behind White. Wilson has a lot of upside, with some of the same characteristics as Bush but with a bigger frame.

The Michigan linebacker is still projected as a first round pick for now, but he’ll need strong showings in the pre-draft process or he could slip to day two.