Reuben Foster saw his draft stock drop significantly following the NFL Scouting Combine and then again in the weeks leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft. Most of that was due to the surgery that he underwent following Alabama's 2016 season to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. There were a lot of teams concerned that the injury might be more severe and force the linebacker to miss a significant amount of time during the upcoming 2017 season.
Of course, Foster has repeatedly assured the media that his recovery is going as planned and that he will be a full-go by training camp after missing or being limited in OTAs. The San Francisco 49ers have repeatedly assured the media that the team's medical staff is comfortable with the recovery from surgery. The 49ers selected Foster with the 31st overall selection after trading back into the first round to leap the New Orleans Saints, who were poised to select the dynamic player at the number 32 spot.
Another possible reason for Foster's drop may have been character concerns. After all, he was dismissed from the NFL Scouting Combine after engaging in a heated argument with a hospital worker.
More recently, Foster revealed that his urine sample obtained in Indianapolis during the combine was reported as diluted, which many NFL teams treat as a failed drug test. When asked specifically about the sample, Foster explained that he was sick the week prior to the combine and that he drank an excessive amount of water. He believed the illness was associated with food poisoning.
49ers general manager John Lynch joined the Talk of Fame Network and discussed whether or not the team was concerned with any potential character issues with Foster.
"When I was first asked that in the press conference in San Fran," Lynch said on the latest Talk of Fame Network broadcast. "I said, 'Well, I would tell you that Reuben's character is what drew me to him.' He's a guy who can ignite a room with his excitement, with his passion.
"The kid hasn't been in trouble much. He's been around some bad things that have happened. He did have the situation at the combine. We talked with Reuben about that, being sent home, and he was apologetic for that — both to the gentlemen at the combine, publicly, and to us.
"There was a diluted test at the combine, as well, something (that) after a conversation we got comfortable with. We understand, like all our players, we're going to have to put a support system … a structure … around Reuben, but we feel like his character is really one of his strong traits.
"He hasn't been in trouble at Alabama. He's a tremendous player sideline to sideline, and he will hit anything that moves … really, my kind of guy and, I think, a real special player."
You can listen to the entire interview on the Talk of Fame Network.
(Thanks to Clark Judge for sending us the interview)