Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers’ top-10 most impactful team members of the 2017 season

By Jonah Burros

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) and other players celebrate after an interception against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) and other players celebrate after an interception against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5

ILB Reuben Foster

I am completely aware of the fact Reuben Foster has yet play a single NFL down, has a shoulder injury and has newly signed ILB Malcolm Smith in front of him. But what this young man brings to the table with what the WILL LB position represents in this defense is scary.

I highlighted Foster and why the 49ers would pursue him in an article before the draft called “Run-D Supreme” that you are free to read.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Basically what Foster brings to the table is a fast, versatile, three-down type of player who, above all, is what you would call a slobber-knocker. He has a tenacity with his tackling that can only be described as violent and ferocious.

He flies to the ball and punishes whoever has it; it’s entertaining to watch. The majority of the time you see him involved in a tackle the helmet of the ball carrier ends up pointed in the direction he was coming from.

The relevance of this in the new 4-3 under scheme is great. The WILL LB not only has a single-gap responsibility, but he also has limited pass-coverage responsibilities. This, in turn, puts him in the position as the cleanup tackler as he scrapes down the line and to the flats when the play is away from his assigned gap.

Foster’s speed, versatility and fierceness is something that can add to this scheme and make a huge difference. Regardless of the potential time that he may need to recover or his shoulder surgery or his rookie status, he has the potential to be a serious difference maker in the run defense.

There might be a period of time where he gets acclimated to the pro game, but Foster is a player that opponents will need to game plan for, and that is production in itself.