Linebacker Reuben Foster was the only San Francisco 49ers player named to the 2017 Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. The entire roster can be found below.
Offense
QB – Deshaun Watson, Texans
RB – Kareem Hunt, Chiefs; Alvin Kamara, Saints
WR – Cooper Kupp, Rams; Juju Smith-Schuster, Steelers
TE – Evan Engram, Giants
C – Pat Elflein, Vikings
G – Dan Feeney, Chargers; Jermaine Eluemunor, Ravens, and Ethan Pocic, Seahawks (tie)
T – Garett Bolles, Broncos; Ryan Ramczyk, Saints
Defense
DL – Derek Barnett, Eagles; Myles Garrett, Browns; Carl Lawson, Bengals; Dalvin Tomlinson, Giants
LB – Jarrad Davis, Lions; Reuben Foster, 49ers; T.J. Watt, Steelers
CB – Marshon Lattimore, Saints; Tre'Davious White, Bills
S – Jamal Adams, Jets; Marcus Williams, Saints
Special Teams
PK – Harrison Butker, Chiefs
P – Rigoberto Sanchez, Colts
KR – Ryan Switzer, Cowboys
PR – Jamal Agnew, Lions
ST – Budda Baker, Cardinals
All of the Pro Football Writers of America rookie awards can be found here.
Foster finished the season with 72 combined tackles and a pass defensed through 10 game appearances. He also finished the season with the team's highest player grade (90.7), according to Pro Football Focus. Foster was the fourth-highest graded linebacker behind only Bobby Wagner (Seahawks), Luke Kuechly (Panthers), and Lavonte David (Buccaneers). He was the highest-graded rookie linebacker in 2017.
This past Friday, Foster was arrested and charged with second degree possession of marijuana in Alabama and is likely to see a fine from the league for violating NFL policy, provided there is no appeal. He also stands to lose a substantial sum from his rookie contract, according to former sports agent and current writer for CBS Sports, Joel Corry.
Corry reported that the $2,501,124 of salary guarantees from 2018 to 2020 would likely be voided due to the charge. Language was built into the contract to protect the 49ers should Foster be fined by the league.
Foster's arrest was first reported on Friday night by The Tuscaloosa News and then later confirmed by the Tuscaloosa Sheriff's office.
