Patriots discussion: 2017 free agents, D.J. Foster
"Connor Fulton – D.J. Foster’s footwork has been one of the major storylines of OTAs thus far. Do you think Foster will make the 53-man roster?"
Jaydeen Allen – It’s difficult to say. He has a lot of competition no matter what position he gets the most looks at (RB or WR). Depending on what the team looks at him as, he may have a hard time cracking the roster. Foster is quick and slippery with the ball in his hand, but could the transition from college to the NFL be too much as we’ve seen in the past with other players? And will Foster continue to get praise when the pads are on and they are practicing at game speed? It seems unlikely right now that he get more snaps than even James White. However, there is a good chance he makes it to the practice squad.
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Hal Bent – Why not? While it is a bit early to start anointing players as likely to make the roster (one OTA open to the media so far), he does have the pass receiving ability out of the backfield which the New England offense craves. With Dion Lewis being managed this summer in his comeback from ACL surgery, there remains a possibility he could be on the PUP list and join the team in October. The opportunity is there for Foster to leapfrog James White and earn a spot on the roster as the third-down/receiving running back.
With the opportunity for a roster spot there for Foster, he could convert his versatility into a role in 2016. Foster may have been undrafted due to a lack of explosive plays during the season and a slow 40-yard dash time (4.57 seconds), but those type of players tend to fit in New England. With excellent 3-cone drill times (6.75 seconds), 20 and 60-yard shuttle (4.07 seconds and 11.12 seconds respectively per NFL.com) it is clear his versatility and short-space quickness intrigued Bill Belichick.
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Kirk von Kreisler – While I do love a good UDFA story, I think it’s unlikely that Foster makes the opening day roster for the Patriots. Foster has been impressing in OTA’s and will have a great chance to prove himself to the organization, but I see him fitting in on the practice squad. Foster has some great talents, but there is just too many people in an awkward backfield that are ahead of him. If Dion Lewis is healthy, he’s the obvious number one with great receiving and scat-back skills, James White can produce as a backup receiving back to Lewis, and Brandon Bolden produces as a fourth option in the backfield and a core special teams player. If Foster keeps shining, I do see him competing until the bitter end for a spot, but, selfishly, I would love for him to stay under-the-radar and for the Patriots to snag him on their practice squad.
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Andre Menice – I believe it is a good possibility that Foster is on the opening day roster depending on how everything shakes out with how many players start the PUP list, will Edelman and Amendola be ready after offseason procedures? Another factor is how many of the veteran skill positions players make the roster, I believe that both Nate Washington and Donald Brown are not locks to make the final roster. Another thing Foster has going for him is that he is essentially one body that covers two positions, like the new Patriot LB/S hybrid Kamu Grugier-Hill or linebackers/edge players Collins and Hightower, and to a much lesser extent, “swing” tackle Marcus Cannon, and we all know how much Coach Belichick loves versatility at all positions. I am going to go out on a limb and say he has a 70% chance of making the opening day roster.
Next: Jaydeen offers a hypothetical