Devin Bush Jr.
Another candidate to slip in the draft due to size concerns is linebacker Devin Bush Jr. Despite a great college career, the concerns over his tackling style and inability to shed off blocks may give teams pause in drafting him in the top half of the draft.
However, if you check out the clip below, you’ll see that he has the speed and agility necessary to beat out those blockers trying to get to him in the second level:
Devin Bush is the most versatile linebacker in this class. He does it all at a high level. Detailed breakdown coming next week for @TheAthleticNFL pic.twitter.com/RvsFcJUIpM
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 7, 2019
Unlike Oliver, there’s a legitimate chance that Bush is available in the late teens of the first round. A team they could target to swap picks with is the Tennessee Titans at 19. The Titans need to bolster their defensive line and can still do that at pick 25. This move would allow the Eagles to move in front of their in-state rivals, the Steelers, and snag Bush to bolster their linebacker corps.
The need for linebacker depth isn’t crucial to some people, looking at you Eliot Shorr-Parks, but it is a need. Nigel Bradham was by far the king of the defensive snaps last year with 88% of the total snaps. Next up was Jordan Hicks with 68% and he’s gone. Kamu Grugier-Hill had 34% and Nate Gerry had 13%. Paul Worrilow will be back and the team did sign L.J. Fort, but the team still needs someone like Bush to help cover running backs and/or tight ends. Adding an instant impact player like Bush, and allowing Grugier Hill, Gerry, Worrilow, and Fort to be high-quality reserves can take this defense to new levels.
Potential trade
Eagles send 2019 first round pick (25th overall – 720 value) and 2019 second round pick (57th overall – 330 value)
Titans send 2019 first round pick (19th overall – 875 value) and 2019 third round pick (82nd overall – 180 value)
