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2017 NFL Draft: 5 Realistic First-Round Targets for Arizona Cardinals

By Tyler Olson

December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) before the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) before the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) lines up for a play during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) lines up for a play during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Reuben Foster, LB – Alabama

We all heard the news this past weekend surrounding Alabama’s star linebacker Reuben Foster at the NFL Combine. Or, maybe you missed it. Short story short, Foster was sent home after an argument with a student hospital worker. He wasn’t set to workout after having shoulder surgery, but was going to interview with teams.

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Projected as a top-10 talent, some think Foster may have hurt his draft stock after the incident. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, however, still has him going ninth overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in his post-combine mock draft. That could be either Miller not seeing the incident as a red flag or that Foster’s move to send all 32 teams an apology letter as a positive.

Putting character aside, Foster is an elite talent that barring any shoulder setbacks will be a starter at the start of the 2017 NFL season. If Foster is Steve Kiem’s guy then one must assume that he’s comfortable moving on from Kevin Minter and/or Sio Moore, both of which are free agents free to negotiate with anyone.

Are you comfortable with someone like Foster playing for the Cardinals? Arizona’s owner Michael Bidwell has no problem going out and snagging a low-character guy. If he’s there at 13 and impresses in interviews at Alabama’s pro day then it’s a risk to take.

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