Pittsburgh traded up from No. 20 to No. 10 for linebacker…
Pittsburgh traded up from No. 20 to No. 10 for linebacker Devin Bush, sending Denver pick No. 52 and a 2020 third-rounder as part of the price. Denver selected Noah Fant at No. 20 and later turned the additional capital into more roster value, including center Lloyd Cushenberry. Bush flashed early but never regained his trajectory after a 2020 knee injury, giving Denver the stronger package.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2019 1st round pick (20th overall, Noah Fant)
- pick 2019 2nd round pick (52nd overall subsequently traded, Drew Sample )
- pick 2020 3rd round pick (83rd overall, Lloyd Cushenberry)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 2019 1st round pick (10th overall, Devin Bush )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Pittsburgh climbed from No. 20 to No. 10 in the 2019 first round to select Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. Denver received pick No. 20, pick No. 52 and Pittsburgh's 2020 third-round selection. The Broncos used No. 20 on tight end Noah Fant; the 52nd pick became part of subsequent movement, and the future third-rounder became center Lloyd Cushenberry at No. 83.
Why the Value Separated
Bush looked capable of validating Pittsburgh's aggressive move early, producing a strong rookie season and immediately starting in the middle of the defense. A major knee injury in 2020 altered that trajectory, and he never developed into the long-term defensive cornerstone the Steelers expected from a top-10 selection. Denver received several useful pieces instead. Fant became a productive starting tight end and later carried value in the Russell Wilson trade, while Cushenberry developed into a multiyear starting center.
How the Deal Aged
Denver's advantage came from both quantity and secondary value. Fant did not become an elite tight end, but he was a real starter and remained useful enough to matter in a later blockbuster. Cushenberry gave the Broncos years of starting offensive-line snaps. Pittsburgh's Bush investment was far more concentrated; once his performance declined after injury, the Steelers had little remaining value to offset the large move-up price.
Final Verdict
Denver wins, B+ to Pittsburgh's C. The Steelers' choice was understandable and Bush's injury deserves context, so a failing grade would overstate the mistake. Still, the Broncos converted the move down into multiple useful assets and longer cumulative service. That diversified return clearly exceeded what Pittsburgh ultimately received from Bush.