According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster with the 15th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
The 6’0″, 229 pound Foster has been regarded as universally the best inside linebacker prospect in this year’s entire draft class:
"Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) lines up for a play during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports15. Indianapolis ColtsReuben Foster, ILB, Alabama | Watch highlightsLet’s be clear here: I don’t have Foster, a top-five talent, dropping because of his bizarre combine ejection. He’s dropping here because not many teams above the Colts at No. 15 need a true inside linebacker. The Bengals and Saints, for instance, have both signed inside linebackers in free agency. Whichever team takes Foster, though, is getting a big-time, sideline-to-sideline defender with All-Pro potential. Indianapolis has done a solid job of upgrading its roster this offseason, and picking Foster (6-0, 229) is another step toward defensive respectability."
The reigning unanimous 1st-Team All-American and All-SEC selection is fresh off a season for the Crimson Tide in which he recorded 115 total tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and 2 passes defensed in 15 games.
Currently, Foster is rated as NFL Draft Guru Mike Mayock’s top rated inside linebacker and has a pretty impressive NFL.com Draft Profile:
"NFL COMPARISON: Bobby WagnerBOTTOM LINE: Foster is a ferocious hitter with elite playmaking range and an ability to toggle between 225 and 240 pounds. Athleticism gives him cover ability that former teammate Reggie Ragland never possessed. Has Pro Bowl potential as a 3-4 inside linebacker or a 4-3 weak side linebacker, but concerns over his medical history could be a consideration, according to some teams."
While I suspect that Foster never slides this far down to the Colts, there’s no question he’d be an immediate upgrade to their starting inside linebacking corps of some current combination of Antonio Morrison, Edwin Jackson, and the recently signed, Sean Spence.
The Colts released veteran starter D’Qwell Jackson earlier this offseason and have simply struggled replacing Jerrell Freeman from an offseason ago.
Yes, there are minor lingering concerns over Foster’s shocking dismissal from the NFL Combine, as well as lukewarm interviews with teams.
However, this is one of the top inside linebacker prospects to come out in years, and the Colts would be hard-pressed not to select him if he surprisingly falls to them:
Reuben Foster (10) is a monster. Watch how quick he shoots this gap and closes on RB. https://t.co/5jb6fKlz3J
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) October 24, 2016
So many good players..2 of my favorite players from tape-they
— Mike Mayock (@MikeMayock) December 31, 2016
play diff positions but both ALWAYS around ball -budda baker and Reuben foster
Really like Reuben Foster. https://t.co/whYQA6qTXw
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 22, 2016
Reuben Foster is everything I want in a run-hit LB. Vicious.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) February 24, 2017
If the Colts selected Foster, you’re talking about a player with sideline-to-sideline ability and complete inside linebacker, who could anchor the middle of their defense for the next decade.
It would be a pick that the Colts couldn’t overthink, as chances are that Foster would be the indisputable ‘best player on the board’ with the 15th overall pick.