San Francisco 49ers: Ranking 5 worst first-round NFL Draft picks since 2010
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Linebacker Reuben Foster
Drafted by 49ers 31st overall in the 2017 NFL Draft
Leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster was widely seen as a top-10 talent. Yet a history of injuries and off-field transgressions clouded his draft value, which ultimately plummeted him in Round 1 all the way to No. 31 overall.
The 49ers struck by trading up into the back end of the round, taking the gamble and hoping for the best.
Early on, it looked like that was what the Niners would get, too. Foster was all over the field his first season, showing all the talent he had displayed in college.
Yet that was before Foster began getting into more legal trouble, which included multiple arrests during the 2018 offseason, some critical remarks from San Francisco’s front office and speculation his red flags would eventually bite the franchise.
In November of that same year, it did.
Foster was arrested again for yet another personal altercation, ultimately leading to the 49ers parting ways with their first-round investment.
The Niners took a big risk, and it bit them hard.