Saturday Blitz
Fansided

2017 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections after first bowl weekend

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 32
Next
Nov 19, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) grabs Chattanooga Mocs running back Alex Trotter (24) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) grabs Chattanooga Mocs running back Alex Trotter (24) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

. LB. Alabama. Reuben Foster. 11. player. 32

Is it possible for a guy like Reuben Foster to drop this far even though many suspect he could be a top-five pick? Well, anything is possible. Heck, we saw Laremy Tunsil, who many thought was a consensus No. 1 overall selection, fall past No. 10 to the Miami Dolphins last season.

No, I’m not saying there will be a bong mask controversy like the one Tunsil was the subject of right before the draft, but teams picking from No. 1 through No. 10 may not need a linebacker as much as other positions. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a top-five talent like Foster drop this far just because of the teams ahead of the Cardinals needing something else.

Sure, teams sometimes draft on best available, especially if a guy like this falls into their laps, but there are at least three teams in the top-10 that need quarterbacks and a couple more with running back and defensive line needs.

Arizona needs an inside linebacker almost as much as it needs a quarterback replacement for Carson Palmer. Unfortunately, I don’t see one of the top three quarterbacks available at No. 11, leaving the Cardinals to select Foster.

Foster has good size for an inside linebacker as well as great instincts. He’s not an elite pass rusher, but he can defend against the run well and also drop back in coverage. He’s had his best season yet as a junior, recording 94 tackles, 12 for loss, four sacks and two pass deflections.

Home/College Football News