Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster was once considered a surefire top-10 pick in this week’s draft. Recent developments since the end of the season have hurt his draft stock, to the point where there is a chance the Chiefs will have an opportunity to draft what is easily the draft’s top inside linebacker. This is why the Chiefs should jump at such an opportunity:
- Long-time stalwart and possible Hall of Fame candidate Derrick Johnson is not only coming off an Achilles injury, but also his worst (relatively full) season since 2009. While his run-stop percentage remained steady from 2015 to 2016, He surrendered a 92.0 passer rating into his coverage, up from 70.0 in 2015.
- Former fourth-rounder pick Ramik Wilson emerged after being thrust into the lineup in Week 7, generating seven good games, three average games and two poor games. Behind Wilson, however, Justin March-Lillard, D.J. Alexander, and Terrance Smith have all struggled in limited action, and safety Daniel Sorensen was less than impressive when asked to play more in the box after Johnson’s injury.
- Foster’s ability in the run game, in coverage and as a blitzer would be a game-changer for a Chiefs defense that is already full of playmakers. If they miss on a quarterback in round 1, the next best outcome would be for Foster to fall to a palatable place for the Chiefs to use their four picks in the top 104 to get their stud inside linebacker of the future.