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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Post-NFL Draft Bold Predictions for the 2017 Season

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick linebacker Reuben Foster answers questions from the media during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick linebacker Reuben Foster answers questions from the media during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Linebacker Reuben Foster Wins the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

The 49ers committed an absolute steal, trading back up into the later stages of Round 1 to nab former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 31 just ahead of the New Orleans Saints.

Yes, Foster slipped quite a bit, following his NFL Scouting Combine blowup and previous shoulder surgery. But there’s no doubting his on-field abilities when healthy. He’s one of the best defenders to come out of this year’s draft class.

And he could easily be the best defensive rookie of 2017.

In this prediction, Foster wins the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Why? Well, just look at his comparisons:

Well, it helps former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award back in 2007 on a bad Niners defense. And Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly won the same award in 2012.

Perhaps the same trend follows Foster.