Miami Dolphins are attempting to put together a redemption story for a common issue in sports. While not as common after the influx of money into the pocket of college football players, there are players every year who can’t handle the limelight of being high draft picks. The perfect example would be former first overall pick and Jamarcus Russell who failed out of the league in record time. However, sometimes with a little bit of age and maturity, these high profile rejects can make their way back onto a team with their high profile talent.
Miami Dolphins bring in familiar face
One of the best attributes of an elite team is the ability to scrape the bottom of the barrel and still find talent. The San Francisco 49ers this season trader a meager second round pick for defensive end Chase Young, who was once regarded as a generational talent around the edge. The Miami Dolphins are doing the same thing as they plan to bring in former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster for a workout this week.
Foster would be a key depth piece to a talent defense after starting linebacker Jerome Backer injured his MCL this week. Foster was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 31st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was touted as the next elite linebacker in the NFL but after struggling with injuries for two years, he was cut out of nowhere by the 49ers in 2018 after several counts of domestic violence charges.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter made the announcement on Monday:
One reason the Dolphins could be in the market for LB depth: Miami LB Jerome Baker suffered an MCL injury Sunday and is now considered “week to week at this point”, per source. https://t.co/lPDMnmFyaT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2023
High Impact Defender
Following his dismissal from the 49ers, Foster was immediately picked up by the now Washington Commanders in what was at the time a highly controversial addition with his legal troubles. He never played a game with Washington after he tore his ACL shortly into preseason OTAs.
Foster has been playing for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL to demonstrate that his natural talent hasn’t diminished with time.
While in college, Foster was a superstar defender at the University of Alabama and proved that he is as athletic as they come at the off-ball linebacker position. If he can make it through workouts, it is possible that Foster can re-establish himself as a force in the NFL.
As of right now, the Dolphins expected counterpart to David Long Jr. at the off-ball linebacker position is Duke Riley. While Riley stepped in and played fairly well against the Commanders, the Dolphins will need a more talented presence off the line of scrimmage than he is able to provide. Foster would give the Dolphins excellent speed to chase down running backs and is a solid coverage player as well. If the Dolphins complete this deal, Foster will be another impressive addition to a up-and-coming defensive group.