K.C. Chiefs: Reuben Foster could be new reclamation project for Brett Veach

K.C. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has always been known to have a thing for snatching up former high-round draft picks through free agency or trade and turning them into productive players for the Chiefs. The list of these types of moves is pretty long and includes names such as Reggie Ragland, Emmanuel Ogbah, and most recently Taco Charlton, who recently returned to the Chiefs on a one-year deal after showing flashes in year one with the team.

It seems like Brett Veach is due for another one of these moves soon. One such player who makes a fair amount of sense to add is former 49ers and Washington Football Team linebacker Reuben Foster. Foster is one of those players who, when mentioned, merits a response like, “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a while”. That’s because Foster hasn’t played since 2018.

Foster has had a roller coaster of a career so far. After being drafted 31st overall by the 49ers back in 2017, Foster had a really good rookie year totaling over 70 total tackles, 7 TFL, and 5 QB hits. Foster came back strong after an opening two-game suspension in 2018 for a weapons charge, but several weeks later, he was arrested on a domestic violence battery charge—one that was ultimately dropped in January, 2019. However, the 49ers ultimately decided that trust issues made it impossible to keep him on the roster.

Reuben Foster could be Brett Veach’s next reclamation project for K.C. Chiefs.

After his release, Foster was claimed by the Washington Football Team off waivers and even though the move was frowned upon by many, the team went with it anyways. Shortly after, it was revealed that Foster’s accuser lied about any domestic violence taking place. Per the Associated Press:

"Elissa Ennis testified she lied because she wanted retribution after Foster tried to end their relationship, saying she was angry “and I wanted to end him.” When asked by prosecutor Kevin Smith if Foster ever hit her, Ennis replied, “No, sir. Not once.”"

From there, Foster was able to continue his career in Washington, and he reported to preseason camp for the Football Team prior to the 2019 season. However, the hits kept coming for Foster as he went down after just a few practices in Washington with a badly torn ACL that kept him sidelined for the past two seasons.

Foster became an unrestricted free agent just this year, and with Washington having a completely new regime that did not sign Foster in the first place, they had no reason to keep him. Now, Foster is looking for a new team and, assuming he’s healthy, I think the Chiefs should give Foster a shot.

Foster would be an extremely low-risk, high-reward signing for the Chiefs. He has had the last two years to recover, and he was one of the most athletic and talented linebackers his first couple years in the league. The question is simply whether or not he’s the same player physically on the other side of such a major injury.

At 6’1″, 230 lbs, Foster is your prototypical big-hitting linebacker who can blitz and take on blockers and could provide the Chiefs nice depth at the position. The Chiefs watched Damien Wilson hit free agency and have yet to bring him back, if they’re interested. If things work out, the Chiefs could hold onto Foster and he could become a main contributor at the position for the future. If not, then at least you tried. With a need at the position, Foster has the potential to be a sneaky-good pickup for Kansas City.