Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks, two analysts for NFL Media, recently went through the exercise of naming NFL linebackers under the age of 30 who they would want for one play, drive, game, and over the next five years. Neither was allowed to repeat a player's name. That means, once Jeremiah or Brooks named a linebacker, that analyst could not select him again for another scenario.
Which player did Brooks select for the next five years? He went with second-year linebacker Reuben Foster of the San Francisco 49ers.
"Reuben Foster plays the game the way I want my inside linebackers to play," Brooks said. "He's violent. He's ferocious. He's instinctive. He's tough. He can be the quarterback on defense when need be, make all the play calls and the adjustments. This guy plays the game in an old-school fashion, but he has a new-school mentality.
"I love what Reuben Foster brings to the field. I think, in this defense, in year two, you're going to see him go to superstar level. Reuben Foster is going to be the gold standard for linebacker play in the next coming years."
"Rare, rare physical talent," Jeremiah added. "His ability to thump inside, to play physical, then also to have that range in coverage as well as just that lateral range, outstanding."
Below are the linebackers Jeremiah and Brooks selected for each scenario.
One Play
Jeremiah: Myles Jack, Jaguars
Brooks: C.J. Mosley, Ravens
One Drive
Jeremiah: Telvin Smith, Jaguars
Brooks: Luke Kuechly, Panthers
One Game
Jeremiah: Luke Kuechly, Panthers
Brooks: Bobby Wagner, Seahawks
Next Five Years
Jeremiah: Roquan Smith, Bears
Brooks: Reuben Foster, 49ers