Cincinnati Bengals – Devin Bush Jr., LB, Michigan
The Bengals have been bit by the injury bug repeatedly in 2018, as evidenced that Jeff Driskel is ready to take snaps as their starting quarterback. While the offense has been inconsistent at best, it’s on defense where the Bengals have their biggest need, particularly at linebacker.
That’s why Michigan’s Devin Bush, Jr. would be a great fit for Marvin Lewis-or-whoever-will-coach-the-Bengals-next-season-but-it’s-probably-Marvin-Lewis’ coaching staff next season. Bush (5-11, 222 pounds) came to Ann Arbor as a much-heralded four-star recruit and has played extremely well as their starting middle linebacker in each of the past two seasons.
Bush has outstanding explosiveness and lateral quickness that allow him to be a menace in the backfield on blitzing schemes. He has a lot of power behind his pads to wrap up opposing running backs and quarterbacks.
Bush can at times be swallowed up in the running game but, overall, plays with great awareness and gap integrity that should allow him to be a viable starter in his rookie year. The Bengals need all the help they can get on defense and Bush would be a great addition to their current linebacking corps.