John Lynch and the 49ers, who opened the first round with a trade, did it again at the end of the round, moving two pick to Seattle in order to take Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster with the 31st overall pick.
The hard-hitting foster was considered the top inside linebacker in the draft and drew comparisons to former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. His stock dropped, however, after he got into an altercation with a hospital technician at the scouting combine in Indianapolis and was sent home early. He also reportedly had a diluted urine sample at the combine and dealt with shoulder stinger issues at Alabama, lowering his stock.
The 49ers traded their second-round pick, No. 34 overall, as well as one of the picks, No. 111 overall (fourth round), they obtained from the Bears earlier in the day. They also received Chicago’s No. 67 pick (third round) and a third rounder in next year’s draft.
The 49ers likely are eying Foster as a weak-side linebacker early in his career and someone who possibly could take over for NaVorro Bowman at middle linebacker in coming years.
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