2019 NFL Draft: Projected First Round after NFL Combine

If the Browns pass on Byron Murphy, the Steelers would have a brutal decision to make with the 20th pick. Cornerback and linebacker are the team’s two biggest needs, and Murphy and Michigan linebacker Devin Bush are both intriguing prospects that the organization would have a tough time choosing between.

Luckily in this scenario, the rival Browns made the decision easier for Pittsburgh by selecting Murphy with the 17th pick, leaving Bush to fall into the Steelers’ laps. An athletic, playmaking linebacker has been sorely missed in the middle of the Steelers defense since Ryan Shazier’s scary injury during the 2017 season.

Bush has similar characteristics to LSU’s Devin White; he also represents the evolution of the position. He’s undersized compared to traditional middle linebackers, but he has the versatility to play in any scheme with sideline-to-sideline speed to make tackles anywhere on the field. He can also rush the passer in obvious passing situations as well.

Bush showcased his athleticism in Indianapolis, running a 4.44 40-yard dash and jumping 40.5 inches in his vertical. His testing clinched his spot as the No. 2 linebacker in the draft class behind White, and solidified his place in the first round.

With Murphy off the board, the Steelers could reach a little for Georgia’s DeAndre Baker if they feel like their need at corner significantly outweighs their other needs. Pittsburgh’s an organization, though, that typically drafts the best player available, and Bush would arguably fit that bill as well as filling a huge void.