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Denver Broncos: Five prospects Elway passed on during 2019 NFL Draft

By Andrew Wade

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

With the 10th overall selection, the Denver Broncos were a big wildcard. Many experts unsuccessfully pegged them to take a quarterback, but if you would have read between the lines, you would have known that just wasn’t going to happen. Other’s had them taking TJ Hockenson or Ed Oliver, but unfortunately, neither of those guys were available at pick #10.

The only other big name commonly projected to the Denver Broncos at 10 outside of the aforementioned players above was Michigan linebacker Devin Bush.

It made too much sense. With defensive mastermind Vic Fangio coming over from Chicago, he needs guys that fit his system and based on what we’ve seen from linebackers at his previous stops, those guys are not currently in the Mile High City. For as much as I love Josey Jewell, he does have general athleticism limitations, but he wasn’t my biggest concern.

No, my biggest concern was (and still is) Todd Davis who posted a 67.7 PFF grade in coverage last season, which is higher than in previous years, but not high enough. It was just the 24th best number in the NFL. In a defense that relies on off-ball linebackers to cover, Davis doesn’t get it done. Too often, he sells himself out for the run.

So when Devin Bush, a speedy middle linebacker who was a leader at a Big Ten school and can play the run, was available at 10, I thought the Denver Broncos would be jumping at the opportunity.

Instead, they traded back 10 spots with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who came up to take Bush.

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