Michigan linebacker Devin Bush has emerged as one of the best candidates for the Kansas City Chiefs to take in the NFL Draft.
Coming into the 2019 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs could go in a few directions with their first overall pick in the first round. However, most analysts have identified the biggest need in the secondary. Even in a recent seven-round mock draft conducted by some of our own Arrowhead Addict contributors, the Kansas City Chiefs ended up selecting safety Nasir Adderley out of Delaware.
However, the Chiefs were also weak in the middle of their entire defense last year as linebacker play continually frustrated the coaching staff and fan base. Plenty of fans would be quite happy to see a serious investment made in the heart of the defense and Michigan’s Devin Bush would be quite a get early in the draft.
While interior linebacker may not be the most pressing need, the club will need a young and hungry leader on the field to command the defensive unit in its new 4-3 scheme. The Chiefs have had its struggles at the position since former Chiefs middle linebacker Derrick Johnson slowed down and ultimately was released from the team. While he’d have to make the leap to adjust to the pros, Bush could fill in nicely in new Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system from the outset.
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Bush has a nice football form, although he lacks somewhat in size. He’s not a tall linebacker—listed at only 5’11—but he could definitely be used in the Chiefs’ new system as the lone middle linebacker in a corps that had seen its fair share of struggles in the 2018 season. His ability to stay on his feet and make tackles makes up for his size. He is able to dig his cleats into the ground and stop the run or make plays in coverage.
His coverage skills proved to be a little shaky when covering running backs in man coverage, which sounds alarming considering the struggles the Chiefs’ inside linebackers faced in coverage this past season against running backs and tight ends.
The Chiefs allowed 123 receptions for 1,067 receiving yards to tight ends in the 2018 season, second to only the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts. They also allowed 10 touchdowns, second to only the Cincinnati Bengals. Against running backs, they allowed 14 touchdowns, which was tied for fourth-most among NFL teams. Their 1,815 yards allowed to running backs was fifth-most, but not by a large margin.
It is safe to say that the Chiefs need a coverage interior linebacker, known as a Will linebacker. Will linebackers are usually quite fast and used typically for coverage. Linebacker Dorian O’Daniel has started to fill in nicely as a coverage linebacker, but having variety there could always help out, especially when that help is as talented as the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year.
In his three seasons at Michigan, Bush had 172 total tackles, which combines assisted tackles and solo tackles. He also had five sacks in each of his last two seasons, which may look unappealing, but it proves that he can get to the quarterback when necessary. His 13 passes defended over the last two seasons at Michigan proves that, when called upon, he can provide coverage. Bush is one of my favorite candidates and one of my top prospects at the linebacker position for the upcoming draft.
With a little work and solid coaching, his coverage skills could be bolstered to add to the tremendous talent he already has. Boasting a violent and physical-oriented play, he would fit well in the Chiefs’ new 4-3 scheme led by Spagnuolo. While the chances of Bush falling to the Chiefs could happen, the same 50/50 chance of him being drafted earlier still arises. There is plenty of star-studded talent in the first three rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft, and Bush is one of those prospects.
As linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland underperformed last season, adding young and fresh talent to the mix will allow for a rotation of four linebackers who each have something to prove. It is very possible that the Chiefs could end up trading up for him if he is available at a decent spot in the second round.