Todd McShay Mock Draft

Pick #20 is probably too high for Devin Bush, but he’s a hell of a football player. I watched about 8 or 9 of his games this morning, some more than once. I was watching him and Devin White to see how they compare. I’m going to watch a bit more, and post a trait by trait comparison of the two.

Based on what a lot of folks have been saying, I wasn’t expecting much from Bush, but the dude can play. He has better instincts than most LBs, and is really tough for anyone but an O lineman to block. Watch his 2017 Florida game.

 

I don't want to sound like I'm calling the guy a bum, but my main issues are:

He's listed at 5'11 233. Very undersized.

I don't see the great athleticism I've heard about. Even though he had a great game vs ND, Wimbush blew past him a couple of times. The Big 10 is a bit of a slower conference too.

He seems like more of a 2 down run stuffer. Would he really be better than Vince Williams?

 

Yes, I think so. I see a 3 down linebacker. He is as good a pass rusher as you’ll see from an ILB. Forget trying to pick him up with a RB when he blitzes. He’ll power right through most RBs and pressure the QB. He’s a destroyer of screen passes. As good an ILB coming out of college as I’ve ever seen in diagnosing and disrupting screen passes, even some bubble screens to the outside. Downfield coverage is absolutely not his strong point, but he shows awareness in zone coverage, and even flashed a few times covering RBs on wheel routes. He’s not going to defend downfield like Devin White. He lacks that kind of straight line speed, but he’s adequate in covering backs near the LOS. As a run defender, in watching 8 or 9 games I don’t know that I ever saw a non-lineman take him out of a play on anything other than a cut block oustide of the tackle box. He often takes deep angles (I.e. downfield instead of into gaps) in the run game, but it looks to me like he was schemed to do that. What I like about him is that he makes game changing plays. He’s An instinctive, aggressive player who will come up with the key sack of stop.

 

How about Murphy in the 1st and Bush in the 2nd (if he makes it that far)? Based on my film review to date, I’d be happy with that scenario. Two guys who play football with aggression, instincts and a nose for the ball.

 

His instincts and smarts are visible on the field.

Just not sure I see him as a 1st round talent. Too many this working against him. I also don't think he will test well at the combine. Combine that with being undersized and I think you have a 2nd round player.

 

I think pick #20 is too probably high for him. However I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go late round 1. Of course it’s early in the draft season, so who knows what will happen.