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Report: Colts Have a Visit Scheduled with Alabama’s Reuben Foster

By Luke Schultheis

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to RotoWorld.com’s Josh Norris, the Indianapolis Colts have a visit scheduled with Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster.

The 6’0″, 229 pound inside linebacker is the consensus top player at his position entering this year’s NFL Draft:

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.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) communicates at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) communicates at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

If not for a surprising NFL Combine dismissal and ‘poor’ interviews with league personnel, Foster would presumably be a Top 5 pick in this year’s draft on pure talent and potential alone.

However, it’s one of the reasons why the Colts even have a shot at him with the 15th overall pick.

Foster has drawn lofty comparisons to the game’s modern elite inside linebackers, complete players like Patrick Willis and Bobby Wagner–both of whom are equally adept at defending in coverage and against the run (via Pro Football Focus):

"Player Comparison: Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers (2007–2014 seasons)High praise, but it’s a reflection on Foster’s ability to do everything. He has the top-end athleticism that Willis had, which allows him to play sideline-to-sideline and cover running backs, tight ends and slot receivers, as well as the strength and physicality needed to consistently take on and beat blocks on inside runs."

While the Colts added free agent Sean Spence earlier this offseason, there’s still some major question marks in the middle of the team’s defense.

The Colts do have a pair of young inside linebackers, Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison, but each player remains both unproven and a bit raw at the position.

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It’s worth noting that the team released longtime veteran D’Qwell Jackson earlier this offseason and struggled replacing their best inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman from an offseason ago.

There’s no question that Foster would present a significant upgrade at inside linebacker among current options, giving the Colts a playmaker with sideline-to-sideline ability, who could anchor the center of their defense for years to come (assuming his ‘character concerns’ check out).

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