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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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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) runs the ball around Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) runs the ball around Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Foster is a strong potential alternative to Garrett for two reasons. One, that he wouldn’t need to be selected first overall, and will most likely fall to the No. 12 pick based on mock drafts, giving the Browns other options with their top pick. Also, while Foster may not be as highly touted of a linebacker, he can contribute on special teams as well.

Plus, while integrating into a defense and learning a new scheme can take time, even multiple seasons, making an impact on special teams is virtually immediate. The Browns sure could use help there, and it would be nice to have the potential of a developing inside linebacker on the roster as well.

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Foster is a good fit with the Browns because he can become the leader they need. While defenders such as Ogbah and Collins are strong players on the field, their leadership skills can be questioned. Foster’s ability to lead a group both on and off the field cannot be questioned, as he has proven all throughout his college career.

Cleveland has whiffed too many times on first-round draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. Remember Barkevious Mingo? Somewhat similar in style to Foster, which is a fair criticism.

But the physicality Foster displays is what sets him apart, as mentioned earlier. Plus, even if the linebacker is not yet up to speed to start at linebacker at the professional level, his special teams experience at Alabama will serve him well enough to make a difference for the Browns in some capacity.

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Foster is versatile, so the Browns ought to be versatile when it comes to how they use him if the team selects him.

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