With the recent departure of linebacker Preston Smith via free agency, and the release of Zach Brown, the Redskins may look to make an addition to the core of their defense by potentially adding speedy linebacker Devin Bush via their first-round selection.
That's what SB Nation's Dan Kadar has the Redskins doing with the 15th-overall pick.
"Going into the draft, Washington has a lot of needs," Kadar says in his April 1st mock. "So many that it may behoove the team to pass up on a quarterback in the first round. An offensive tackle like Jonah Williams of Alabama would be in play here, but Bush could give Washington the type of speed its defense lacks." "
In three seasons at Michigan, Bush appeared in 38 games tallying 194 tackles, including 19.5 for loss with 10 sacks, and 15 pass breakups.
In 2018, Bush was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and was named a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to the top linebacker in college football. He was also named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and the Sporting News.
During his junior year in 2018, Bush registered a team leading 80 tackles anchoring a defense that allowed the second fewest yards per game in college football (275.2). He enjoyed his top performance of the season against Indiana where he recorded 12 total tackles (six solo), in route to a Wolverine win.
As a sophomore in 2017, Bush started all 13 games totaling a career high 102 tackles, including 9.5 for loss with 5 sacks and one interception. Was named a first team All-Big 10 selection after concluding his season with an eight tackle performance against South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.
After declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft following his junior season, The 5-foot-11 Pembroke Pines, Fla., native was invited to attend the NFL Combine. He would go on to further boost his elite draft stock after posting the top vertical jump at 40.5", and the third fastest 40-yard dash time among linebackers at 4.43 seconds.
The son of former Florida State, and NFL linebacker with the same name, Bush provides elite speed with the vision to burst into holes and meet ball carriers at the point of attack. As required by modern day NFL linebackers, Bush flashed his ability to cover running backs and tight ends in space for coach Jim Harbaugh's defense.
According to his USA Today draft profile, "Bush displays phenomenal range. He's capable of flowing gap-to-gap or moving to the perimeter to cut down edge runs. Bush has had some beautiful reps in coverage, showing the ability mobility to thrive and carry position players vertically. He's been an effective blitzer, showing some finesse to his pass rushing ability and usually finishes the job when he gets his hands on the ball carrier."
Bush currently projects as a first-round selection in this month's draft, and could further boost a linebacking core that touts a plethora of young talent.
