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2019 NFL Draft: Full Round 1 mock with trades, April Fools’ version

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the Paul Bunyan trophy off the field after beating the Michigan State Spartans 21-7 at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the Paul Bunyan trophy off the field after beating the Michigan State Spartans 21-7 at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan. Devin Bush. 20. player. 55. . Linebacker

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still struggling to find a quality replacement to alleviate the terrible loss of linebacker Ryan Shazier to a back injury back in 2017. There have been some nice stopgap options, although this and cornerback should be among Pittsburgh’s top two needs on defense.

This year’s NFL Draft isn’t quite as deep at inside linebacker, although there’s a good quality option with Michigan’s Devin Bush.

At 5-foot-11 and 234 pounds, Bush is a bit undersized for a lot of the duties Shazier excelled in. That said, Bush is more than adept getting to the sidelines quickly and surely has a knack for being around the ball at all times.

That’s the kind of presence the Steelers need in the interior of their defense.

Finding a cornerback to replace a disappointing Artie Burns is also high on the wish list. So is finding a replacement for Antonio Brown, who is now off in Oakland.

Still, getting that playmaker in the center of the defense would do a lot of good, and it would help solidify other additions later.