Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Regrading 2017 NFL Draft class

By Peter Panacy

Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Reuben Foster, Alabama Crimson Tide
Linebacker Reuben Foster #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Linebacker. Alabama. REUBEN FOSTER. D-.

Round 1: 49ers Linebacker Reuben Foster

Like the Solomon Thomas selection, Reuben Foster doesn’t totally warrant an F-grade because the 49ers at least got one productive season from the former Alabama linebacker.

Foster had risks, yes, which included being dismissed after an altercation at the NFL Scouting Combine. There were other notable red flags, too, which included other injuries and character concerns. Those are ultimately what convinced 30 other teams to pass up on a player widely viewed as a top-10 talent.

Yet the Niners took the gamble, trading back into Round 1 of the draft and grabbing Foster at No. 31 overall.

It seemed like an absolute steal, and San Francisco was hoping the new-found culture in the locker room could properly guide and groom Foster into a tremendous player. Early his rookie season, which produced 72 tackles and five quarterback hits over just 10 games played.

But problems arose the following offseason, which included multiple arrests and charges of domestic violence. The 49ers stood by Foster, yet issued a stern warning.

In November of 2018, another arrest ultimately convinced John Lynch and Co. to part ways with Foster not two years into his pro career.

Simply put, the Niners took the gamble on Foster and were burned in the process.