With Saints on other line, LB Reuben Foster snatched by 49ers

The 49ers now have 10 picks in next year’s draft.

The first round could see a slew of players from the nation’s top college programs get selected. Many believed the explosive linebacker would be taken as high as 5th overall in the NFL Draft, but his stock plummeted in recent weeks due to off-field behavior.

Heading into day two of the draft, there are some quality linebacker prospects still on the board – names to know include Raekwon McMillan, Zach Cunningham, Duke Riley and even Blair Brown, who could be a late round steal.

Philly took quarterback Carson Wentz at No. 2 past year, while Cleveland now owns both the No. 1 and No. 12 selections in this draft, which could allow it to finally nab its franchise quarterback.

The draft always provides surprises. I think that was way overdone, and the kid should not have been sent home.

They were the only team over the past three seasons to allow at least 30 points per game, and inside linebacker is certainly an area where they needed to improve. The only real question about the 6-foot-3 Davis is consistent quality of competition.

Defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams, wide receiver ArDarius Stewart and safety Eddie Jackson are all projected as early- to mid-round picks.

Witherspoon began his college career at Sacramento City. Lamp is expected to be the next Zack Martin and a better Joe Thuney, which seems like he would warrant a first round pick in my mind.

The Chicago Bears surprised the National Football League by trading up to pick North Carolina quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 pick. They traded down, so they couldn’t. The gun-slinging Mahomes has a ton of upside, but needs polish.

Keim compared Foster to former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

Those incidents resulted in San Francisco filling a need with one of the draft’s most talented defensive players. Off-field matters have come under increasing scrutiny since Foster was dismissed from the combine for getting into a “heated argument” with a doctor. Fine. Why was his urine sample for the Combine drug test found to be diluted? And there were lingering concerns about a shoulder problem. The paper also quoted an executive from another team saying the shoulder issue is “problematic, and the way he plays, how long can he hold up?”

Make it a hat trick for the Crimson Tide, though there were no injury red flags working against Howard. His sharp pursuit angles leave little room for error and, at times, he can get a little too far over his skis, flailing his arms to keep his balance while throttling down to change direction.