Miami Dolphins draft memory: Reuben Foster

Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, linebacker Reuben Foster was a player that most fans wanted the Miami Dolphins to take with their first round pick.

The Miami Dolphins drafted 22nd in 2017 after a trip to the AFC Wild Card round in 2016. Miami’s future looked good and fans wanted a major impact player on either side of the ball. The question heading into the draft was whether or not one would fall.

Alabama’s top linebacker was Reuben Foster and for many Dolphins fans, Foster was the guy. The guy that would become Miami’s Patrick Willis. Foster was incredible for Alabama. Miami’s young head coach was mentored by Alabama’s Nick Saban. Everything was perfect except Foster wasn’t expected to fall.

There were off-field and maturity concerns about Foster but nothing really compared to his rotator cuff surgery. Most believed it wouldn’t matter. Foster was the real deal. A powerful hitter with great speed and average coverage skills. When the Dolphins were on the clock, Foster was there.

Miami selected DE Charles Harris. There had been a steady flow of rumors that Miami had fallen in love with the edge rusher and that came to be a reality when they were on the clock. Foster was off the table with the first pick in the 2nd round. A steal for the 49’ers.

Miami fans could only watch and throw crap at their t.v. It was worse as the season progressed and Foster looked every bit the part of an NFL top linebacker prospect.

Here is the thing with draft picks and players with questions, NFL teams do far more background research than the fans claim to or the media for that matter. Sometimes when a player with world type talent falls, there sometimes is a reason.

Today it was announced that Foster has been indicted on domestic violence charges and his time with 49’ers is likely over. While Foster started out strong his rookie season, off-field issues continued to raise flags and this latest issue may be the final straw.

Imagine if the Dolphins have drafted him at 22 where all the fans had hoped he would land.