With The First Pick
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ESPN predicts a whole bunch of tackles for Steelers rookie Devin Bush

By Bryan Perez

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Devin Bush should continue the recent trend of first-year linebackers to post gaudy tackle numbers.

When we look back at the 2019 NFL draft, there’s a really good chance we’ll wonder how in the world the Pittsburgh Steelers landed former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush with the 10th overall pick. He may end up being the best all-around football player produced by the draft class.

Even more surprising, he was the second inside linebacker to get drafted; Devin White (LSU) was selected by the Buccaneers with the fifth pick. With all due respect to White, Bush is just better.

Bush is primed to be a star in the NFL. Not only does he have the talent to thrive as a sideline-to-sideline thumper, but he’s playing for a storied franchise with a deep and proud history of linebacker play.

The Steelers have been searching for that next great linebacker since the devastating spinal injury suffered by Ryan Shazier in 2017. Bush has been identified as that guy, and he’ll have every opportunity to put together a fantastic rookie season, especially in the box score.

In a recent ESPN post asking writers to make predictions about the teams they cover, Steelers reporter Jeremy Fowler predicted Bush will have at least 87 tackles in 2019.

“This is hardly a lay-up in a defense that has three capable inside linebackers in the mix,” Fowler wrote. “Veteran Vince Williams and free-agent addition Mark Barron will have roles. But the stage is set for Bush to become an every-down player, and by the looks of his spring workouts, he’s eager to meet that challenge.”

Sure, Williams and Barron will get some reps, but Bush is — by far — the most talented of the bunch and has a chance to almost instantly become one of the best inside linebackers in the entire AFC (let alone the Steelers).

Here’s the other thing: last season’s tackles leaders wrangled way more than just 87. Darius Leonard (Colts) totaled 163 as a rookie and Leighton Vander Esch (Cowboys), also a first-year player, finished third in the NFL with 140 tackles.

I’d expect Bush’s tackle totals to be closer to 125 or more. So, yeah, good luck AFC North.

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