It was no doubt a surprise to many Chicago Bears fans when the word dropped that they were wining and dining Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster. Though considered one of the best draft prospects in the 2017 class, he plays inside linebacker. Generally players at that position don’t go in the top five of the draft. In fact the only one to go that high in NFL history? None other than Bears icon Dick Butkus.
#Bama LB Reuben Foster had dinner last night with the #Bears staff and is visiting the team today, source says. Chicago picks No. 3.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2017
Of course that pick worked out really well for the franchise. That being said it’s hard to envision Foster being at the level Butkus was. However, one must not sell the young man short. He’s building quite a buzz in the draft community of late. No, not for his heated confrontation with a hospital attendant at the scouting combine. Mostly because of his outstanding play on the field.
There is little argument that he is the most complete linebacker in this class by a pretty wide margin. A bundle of athleticism, strength, intelligence and violence. He can fly sideline to sideline making tackle after tackle. He’ll drop into coverage to blanket a tight end or running back. Then he’ll fire downhill like a missile to make stops for losses or put pressure on the quarterback. It really doesn’t matter what he’s asked to do. He can do it all.
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So in that regard it’s easy to understand the interest. Still, why would the Bears consider him at #3? They aren’t totally hurting for inside linebacker help. They still have Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman as starters with the promising Nick Kwiatkoski flashing his potential as a rookie last season. Then again there are likely some concerns. Freeman is getting older (31 in May) and Trevathan is coming off his second major knee injury. Perhaps Foster might be looked at as a highly valuable insurance policy.
It certainly doesn’t hurt his stock that he’s frequently compared to one of the best inside linebackers to play the game in the past three decades. Few men were more feared and respected in the NFL for a good seven-year span when Patrick Willis suited up on Sundays. The seven-time Pro Bowler was the heart and soul of the San Francisco 49ers during their epic playoff runs from 2011 to 2013. Being compared to him is the highest of praise.
It’s not just one person making this connection either. Several experts see the traits the two share.
Former NFL scout Chris Landry:
“Foster may be the best linebacker prospect that Nick Saban has had at Alabama. Foster has the elite athleticism that I saw from Patrick (Willis) coming out of Ole Miss,” Landry said. “He possesses great pursuit speed and change of direction, allowing him to play with great range in pursuit and cover running backs and tight ends as well as slot receivers. He also shows good strength to take on the run.”
Pro Football Focus:
“Player Comparison: Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers (2007–2014 seasons)
High praise, but it’s a reflection on Foster’s ability to do everything. He has the top-end athleticism that Willis had, which allows him to play sideline-to-sideline and cover running backs, tight ends and slot receivers, as well as the strength and physicality needed to consistently take on and beat blocks on inside runs.”
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com):
“The Bengals need to add more playmakers to their defense and Foster is one of the most explosive linebackers to come out in the last few years. He has similar range to Patrick Willis when he was coming out of Ole Miss.”
Seems the Reuben Foster Patrick Willis idea isn’t some cooked up story. It’s a widespread belief. Sure, it can often be dangerous comparing a young kid to an NFL icon. Even so when looking and their college stats and overall tape, it’s not a hard leap to make at all. Willis had 265 tackles (21 for loss), six sacks and an interception his final two seasons at Ole Miss. Foster had 188 tackles (21 for loss) and six sacks in his last two.
Thus one must return to the question at hand. If the Bears feel they are getting Willis 2.0, does that make him worth the #3 overall pick? Well if any team thought they were getting a perennial Pro Bowler, it’s a no brainer decision. Merely a matter of how fast can they turn in the card. Still, as the draft has proven so many times nothing is a guarantee. Foster not only comes with some off-the-field question marks. He also has health concerns as well. He apparently suffered a number of stinger injuries to his neck and shoulders during his time at Alabama.
Given the hard luck this franchise has had with keeping their best players on the field lately, that’s something that cannot be ignored. In order to take an inside linebacker that high, there should be as few questions as possible. Hence why the team chose to meet with him in the first place. Doing their homework and gauging whether he’s their type of player or not. Odds are they’ll have an answer by the time the draft arrives at the end of next month. If they decide to take him, it will be because they are convinced he can be another Willis.
