San Francisco 49ers

2017 NFL Draft: 49ers Should Target Alabama Linebacker Reuben Foster

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers still need defensive help in the NFL Draft, despite taking a defensive player with their first overall pick in the last four drafts. And one prospect who should be high on the radar is Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster.

Yes, Texas A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett would look good in a San Francisco 49ers uniform.

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If the Niners wind up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, there’s a good chance that happens. Garrett is easily the top prospect available.

But, as things stand now, the 49ers own the No. 2 pick behind the winless Cleveland Browns. And the Browns would be smart to add Garrett first overall.

This would, of course, give San Francisco a chance to land another enticing prospect — Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster.

Foster is a rare talent — a combination of size, speed and athleticism that would help make the Niners strong up the middle again.

CBS Sports projects him as a top-five pick, and draft analyst Rob Rang has him as the No. 4 overall prospect on his big board.

Rang wrote:

Inside linebackers rarely warrant top-five consideration but Foster is an exceptional talent. Foster might be the most intimidating hitter in all of college football and he possesses the fluidity and speed to cover. He is a more explosive athlete than Alabama’s recent stars at linebacker, showing ridiculous closing speed and an utter disregard for his own safety or that of his opponents.

With a top-three pick all but guaranteed for San Francisco, landing Foster shouldn’t be much of a problem.

The Scouting Report on Foster

Foster’s senior year at Alabama is easily his best. He has 51 solo tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and four sacks — all collegiate highs.

Sep 10, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver Taywan Taylor (2) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

And, as Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness pointed out, Foster is easily the most complete inside linebacker in all of college football:

The fact that he simply doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, but forces several big plays before and beyond the line of scrimmage in every game, be it in coverage, against the run or as a pass rusher, highlights why he will likely have a long career playing on Sunday’s too.

With Alabama staying on the march for a second straight National Championship, and the third straight appearance in the College Football Playoff, the leader in the middle of their defense has proven his worth time and time again backing up the belief that he’s not just the best linebacker in the nation, but the most complete one.

The Alabama linebacker is equally effective against the run and in pass coverage. And his ability to disrupt the pocket is also something to watch.

Foster Filling a 49ers Need

San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke did not address the inside linebacker spot in last year’s NFL Draft, and that came back to hurt the team.

With All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman shelved with an Achilles injury, as well as fellow insider Ray-Ray Armstrong (pectoral) out, the Niners were forced to rely upon backup guys Gerald Hodges, Michael Wilhoite and Nick Bellore.

49ers linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Out of that crop, Hodges has been the only OK player. Wilhoite and Bellore are more of a liability than anything else.

Not surprisingly, the 49ers defense ranks dead last in both points against (370) and yards allowed (4,995). We can’t totally attribute this to lacking adequate ILB players, but the shortage certainly hasn’t helped.