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Cleveland Browns Draft Profile: Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster

By Jonathan Goehring

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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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts after bring brought down by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts after bring brought down by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Reuben Foster has a unique combination of speed and explosiveness which alters the way opposing offenses run completely. Though his speed and athleticism jumped out during his collegiate career, it will be Foster’s toughness that sets him apart at the NFL level.

Foster’s NFL.com scouting report details some of these strengths using eye-popping descriptions:

"Outstanding athlete with springy, reactive feet. Lost 15 pounds in off-season, which gave him more speed and explosiveness. Loose hips and long stride allows him to open and chase immediately. Has elite sideline-to-sideline range. Tough as nails. Brings swagger to a linebacking corps.Outstanding athlete with springy, reactive feet. Lost 15 pounds in off-season, which gave him more speed and explosiveness. Loose hips and long stride allows him to open and chase immediately. Has elite sideline-to-sideline range. Tough as nails. Brings swagger to a linebacking corps."

On the surface, it appears Foster possesses exactly what the Browns need, a toughness and a sense of confidence that the defense is so desperately lacking.

On the other hand, Foster suffers from a lot of the same shortcomings as Derek Barnett. His over-aggressive mindset can get him into trouble, especially when trusting his physical abilities to do more than they can sensibly do.

"Instincts are just average. Overly reliant on speed and athleticism over instincts and feel. Can be a tick slow to respond to play-action. Inconsistent defeating blocks. Too eager to take on everyone at the point of attack.Instincts are just average. Overly reliant on speed and athleticism over instincts and feel. Can be a tick slow to respond to play-action. Inconsistent defeating blocks. Too eager to take on everyone at the point of attack."

Foster’s tendency to try to do too much and take on everyone on the offense at once shows a lack of awareness and trust in his own teammates, and a lack of understanding of the game of football in general. While aggressiveness is most often portrayed as a positive trait, it has the potential to continue to be one of Foster’s limiting factors as it has been in the past.

The good news is, these sort of mindsets can be corrected with either the right coaching or quite possibly more naturally by the humbling nature of the more physically demanding NFL.

What is more notable about Foster’s abilities is his versatility, and the mix of athleticism and power he brings to the defense. These are what the Browns will be most closely evaluating as they consider adding him to their defense and/or special teams unit.

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