How the Reuben Foster scenario changes the 49ers’ plans in the 2018 NFL Draft
The 2018 NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away, and the San Francisco 49ers are set to make the ninth overall pick in the first round. Recent news regarding linebacker Reuben Foster could alter how the 49ers use their first pick.
Recent allegations against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster have taken an interesting turn. According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco and other reports, Foster’s former girlfriend has recanted her original statement and now claims all allegations against Foster were a lie.
Should this story hold, the Niners should expect to see Foster as a Week 1 starter come September.
With that in mind, though, how does San Francisco use its first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft now if Foster, indeed, looks to be remaining with the team?
San Francisco 49ers
Let’s take a look.
Should the 49ers stay right where they are?
First, a conservative play. It is possible the 49ers stay exactly where they are and draft a player many have already considered they would take.
Linebackers Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds, as well as EDGE Harold Landry, would all be great examples and fits for the 49ers.
With Foster likely around now, the Niners could potentially focus on finding a complementary player to Foster. Edmunds and Landry would fit that picture well. The defense is weak at linebacker and at EDGE, so either player could give San Francisco the added strength it’s recently lacked.
Not to discount the player Smith is, but he and Foster play similar roles with similar personalities. Adding Smith to this defense feels slightly redundant.
Will the 49ers consider trading up or down?
Another option would see the Niners play the draft a little more aggressively. Could we see San Francisco trade up? The Denver Broncos have come out mentioning that they would be open to trading their pick, the fifth overall.
They could be a perfect fit for a trade.
If the hypothetical trade occurs, San Francisco could easily make a play for Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. Nelson is one of the best offensive linemen prospects that the NFL has seen in years. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has Nelson ranked as the second best player in this draft class, behind only running back Saquon Barkely.
Nelson gives the Niners the power they need on the offensive line to keep their new shiny toy, Jimmy Garoppolo, safe and upright. With Foster still on the roster to start the season, the 49ers can feel comfortable with moving up to draft a dynamic offensive player.
Finally, the Niners could consider trading back. The most common fear in the NFL Draft is reaching for a playing. That is, taking a player higher than he should go, thus overpaying for a player.
One player the 49ers could consider, should they trade back, is the safety out of Alabama, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Drafting Fitzpatrick could be a home run. Fitzpatrick is an absolute leader. His leadership and authority could be the exact piece the Niners need to complete the defense. The less-tangible benefit is the mentorship Fitzpatrick provides. Foster and Fitzpatrick played together at Alabama and know each other well.
Fitzpatrick could be the guy to help keep Foster straight.
Next: San Francisco 49ers: 3 things to accomplish in the 2018 NFL Draft
All of the speculation will soon be put to rest, as we are less than a few hours away from the draft. General manager John Lynch and Co. will soon be back in the war room.
And before you know it, the Niners will have a new rookie to mold.