3 former 49ers NFL Draft picks who still need a job in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Former 49ers Linebacker Reuben Foster
It’s almost weird to see San Francisco’s other first-round pick from 2017, linebacker Reuben Foster, back in the news again.
But he is, reportedly working out with the New York Jets, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Foster, whose red flags and injury concerns caused him to fall all the way to the 49ers, who traded up to get him at No. 31 overall, ultimately fell victim to those worries, dealing with injuries early in his career and raising character issues with off-field arrests.
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Despite his talents, Foster was ultimately waived by the Niners in November of 2018.
The Washington Football Team claimed Foster almost immediately, but he never took a snap for them, being held off the field for the rest of that year and suffering a torn ACL during 2019 training camp that also prevented him from playing in 2020.
Perhaps Foster can resurrect his career under his former defensive coordinator in San Francisco, now-Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
If so, Foster might have that opportunity to turn what has otherwise been a disappointing NFL tenure around, while Gang Green will seek to find whatever ways needed to improve under Saleh.