Oh what a night. Granted no one has stepped on the field yet, but after some rough years in Santa Clara, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch nailed the first round of the 2017 draft. He started the night with a trade with the Chicago Bears, and he ended the night parlaying that trade into a trade with the Seattle Seahawks that ultimately brought linebacker Reuben Foster to the 49ers.
A shoulder injury and a couple of off field concerns had Foster drop significantly, which is why he was available at 31. On a conference call with the media, he told us his shoulder was at 90%. Assuming the off-the-field issues are learning experiences he can put in the past, Foster will drastically upgrade the 49er defense, a defense that finished last in the NFL in run defense.
“I thought I wasn’t going to make it,” said Foster. “I’m just happy that they just believed in me and just trusted in me to pick me.”
During tonight’s press conference, Lynch told us that they were “exhaustive in getting to know Reuben Foster.” Lynch also said if the Niners’ first pick Solomon Thomas had been taken at two, San Francisco would have most likely drafted Foster at three. That’s a big deal.
“His character is what drew us to him,” said Lynch. “When he talks about football, he lights up a room.”
One reason Foster is excited to come to the 49ers is to carry on the great line-backing standard set by Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Specifically, he’d like to be the next Patrick Willis. I’m pretty sure the Faithful would like that too.
“His passion for the sport,” said Foster. “His aggressiveness. His leadership role He’s got the passion for the sport that I want to be…I want to have that passion up there for the Niners. I want to be that next Patrick Willis…[have] people saying [they want to be] the next Reuben Foster.”
And what did Lynch have to say about that?
“I hope he’s the next Patrick Willis.”
Don’t we all.
Thomas and Foster are going to be big parts of this defense for a long, long time. Although the two men don’t really know each other yet, that will change very soon.
“I’m about to get real acquainted with him,” said Foster. “I don’t know him that well, but I’m about to get real acquainted with him. We’re about to best friends, trust me.”
Foster was asked to describe his play in one word and the word he chose: Savage.
“We felt this is a game-changing player,” said Lynch.
I concur. I concur with everything that happened with the 49ers draft today.
Night one is in the books. It all starts again tomorrow. Let’s do this. Go Niners!
Learn 5 Fun Facts about Reuben Foster here
More of my NFL 2017 Draft coverage here
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