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San Francisco 49ers: Foster’s situation may change offseason strategy

By Kevin Saito

Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images
Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images /
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The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the Draft with some specific needs, but Reuben Foster’s legal situation may necessitate a change in their strategy.

For the San Francisco 49ers, the pieces were all starting to fall into place nicely. Having signed their franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, they still have a ton of cap space, and seemed poised to head into the upcoming Draft with a clear plan in place.

Last year’s first round pick and burgeoning star Reuben Foster though, may have thrown a wrench into their plans.

Foster, though limited to 10 games last year due to injury, flashed incredible potential. The 49ers were obviously, comfortable enough with Foster manning the middle that they jettisoned former San Francisco stalwart NaVorro Bowman.

With the middle of that defense seemingly locked down and in good hands, the 49ers could turn to free agency and the Draft, free and clear to shore up the other holes on that defense – specifically, looking for cornerbacks, edge rushers, and interior offensive linemen.

However, two arrests in the span of a month has led to some doubt about Foster’s status for this year and the feeling that perhaps, the team needs to alter its thinking and planning ahead of free agency and the Draft.

The first arrest, back in January in Alabama, was for possession of marijuana. It’s a minor issue, all things considered, and he’s likely to escape with a court-imposed fine. He could still potentially face discipline from the league though – especially given the diluted urine sample that got him run out of the NFL Combine before he was drafted.

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But that punishment would likely depend on whether or not he’s hit certain marks in the league’s substance abuse program. It’s the second arrest that should have him – and the team – concerned.

The second arrest, just a few weeks after his marijuana bust, is for domestic violence, making criminal threats, and possession of an assault rifle, and could carry far more severe punishments – even if he doesn’t ultimately end up facing criminal charges.

From a football standpoint, Foster could – and likely will – miss significant time on the field. He could potentially face a suspension on the drug charge. And it seems almost certain – in light of the Ezekiel Elliott case last year – that he’s going to face a suspension on the domestic violence charge.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell isn’t bound by criminal law when imposing suspensions, so even if Foster isn’t ultimately charged, he is very likely going to miss at least six games, if Elliott is the benchmark for such a case.

Six games for the domestic abuse arrest, and possible a game or two (or who knows, maybe more depending upon Goodell’s mood), will result in Foster missing significant time for the 49ers in 2018.

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Which raises the second football-related concern – is Foster another Aldon Smith in the making?

Both are extremely talented, difference making playmakers on the field. But, they just can’t quite seem to stay out of trouble off the field.

All of the hypocrisy and double-standards between Foster and former 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock aside, San Francisco is going to have a big question to answer and a bigger decision to make.

The question is – can Foster be relied upon to keep his nose clean and stay on the straight and narrow from here on out? History tells us probably not, but stranger things have happened.

The decision they’ll have to then make is – if Foster can’t be relied upon, how does this change the team’s thinking and strategy heading into free agency and the Draft?

It seems obvious and clear that Foster is going to miss time in 2018. The only question is, how much? If it’s only six games, can the team look internally or perhaps, sign a cheap bridge player to fill the gap until Foster returns?

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Or, even if it is just six games (or maybe more), should the team use a valuable draft pick to find another young playmaker in the middle as an insurance policy?

If the 49ers have determined that Foster can’t be relied upon and/or that they would like (need) an insurance policy in case he can’t keep his nose clean, it would seem to put players like Roquan Smith and Rashaan Evans in play with that ninth or tenth pick (depending on the coin flip with Oakland).

There are more questions than answers at this point, but GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan are going to have to do some serious soul searching. They’re going to have to find the answers to those tough questions and then, act in the best interest of the team.

Foster came in and made a huge impression as a rookie for this team. But, the mark he’s leaving on the team over the offseason may be even bigger and have a more lasting impact given that the 49ers may have to alter their entire offseason strategy because of him.