Prospect Profiles: Mason Foster, LB Washington
Good morning, draft fans. In my little informal poll I posted a couple of days ago, the things that people seem to want most at this site were more scouting reports about players and more mock drafts. This is the first of many profiles that will be coming out between now and draft time (and then we’ll also be doing some during the college football season as well). In fact, I’ll try to profile or write a scouting report about for anyone that you want, so feel free to request away in the comment section.
As for mock drafts, both Sayre and I will be posting a new mock draft this week. Right now we have been comparing big boards as we will update that sometime within the next few days as well.However, I’d also like again to extend the opportunity for any reader who wishes to have a mock draft posted on a site that does pretty good traffic to email me your mock draft at bartolisj@gmail.com and I’ll put up in the front page. So feel free to take advantage of that great opportunity.
I also plan on adding a Trade Value chart, as well as a NFL draft order that will make it easier for all of you out there who want to know when your team picks -so look out for those during this next week.
The photo I found was made by a fan and I thought it was neat.
I started writing these prospect profiles for a Giants fan website so originally this post was about how Mason Foster fits with the Giants. If there’s is a NY Giants tint in this post that is why. Moving forward these profiles will be written more generally.
The next linebacker in this series is a tackling machine: Mason Foster. Foster was probably the most productive linebacker in the nation.
Here we go
Measurables
Born January 1st, 1989. Senior.
Official Senior Bowl Weigh in:
height: 6011
Weight: 241 pounds
Hands: 9 6/8 inches
Length: 31
wingspan: 74 and 5/8 inches
40 yard dash and other combine information forthcoming:
Here’s what they said about Foster’s performance during the Senior Bowl week:
Wes Bunting’s National Football post
"However, the one guy who did do a nice job was Washington LB Mason Foster. He’s a natural striker who finds the football quickly and runs well in pursuit. He isn’t elite physically in any area of the game, but he’s just a solid football player who showed well for himself this week and looks like a solid 2nd-3rd round pick who can mature into a starter early in his NFL career."
Stats
2010 162 tackles (105 solo, 14 for loss), 6.5 sacks, 3 passes broken up, 2 QB hurries, ff, blocked punt/kick
Big Games:
Well, first I should mention that he had 9 or more tackles in every single game played this season (only 9 once 10 or more every other game)
3 ranked opponents and a bowl game (vs Nebraska the second time)
vs Nebraska 13 tackles (7 solo)
vs Stanford 18 tackles (12 solo, .5 for loss)
@ Oregon 14 tackles (10 solo)
Nebraska in bowl game 12 tackles (9 solo, 3 for loss), 2 sacks, pass broken up
The thing that jumps out at you is the HUGE game he had vs Nebraska in the bowl game (which a lot of people saw). In the limelight he stepped it up and had an absolutely monster game. Hitting the ball carriers, sacking the Quarterback, breaking up a pass.
He’s ultra productive, but he played on a bad team that gave up a lot of points so he probably had more opportunities, still he made the most of his opportunities, and if you’re a guy who likes the Giants to grab productive players out of college Foster fits the bill (and plays in a position of need for the Giants).
The first one is from his game vs Stanford this year, unfortunately he is not highlighted on each individual play in this video so you’ll have to look for him a bit, but he’s the only one who makes plays so shouldn’t be too hard to figure out eventually.
I’ll post more and better video when he becomes available.
Scouting Reports
Positives: Incredible production in 2010 (162 tackles, 6.5 sacks), very consistent production, had 10+ tackles in all but two games in 2010… Decent speed given size and position… Has an ideal frame to play weakside linebacker in several schemes, excellent bulk, plays bigger than listed size… Is a true football player and throwback-style linebacker, plays with a great motor and shows his love for playing the game between every whistle… Shows the ability to be a big-time hitter, drives through tackles and uses momentum very effectively, forced six fumbles in 2009… Is a true team player, has a very humble personality and values winning above all else, coaches rave about his attitude and work ethic… Is a natural athlete and playmaker, played three positions in high school including quarterback… Has a quick closing burst, especially when zeroing in on opposing quarterbacks, trusts instincts and then reacts… Is very powerful against blockers off the edge, which makes him a very able pass rusher along the outside, bull rush is surprisingly effective for his size… Has the potential to be a tackling machine in the NFL because of high motor and passion for playing the position, has all the physical tools to be a nightmare against the run, and has never had durability issues.
Negatives: Plays on a defense that ranks at the bottom of the FBS, so he has been the beneficiary of a lot of opportunities, which could be one of the reasons for huge productivity… Tends to play a little high, which leads to him getting out of position at times, needs to lower center of gravity in order to increase explosiveness when engaging blockers… Has the ability to rush the passer, but does not have a large arsenal of pass-rushing moves, and will not likely be relied upon as a third-down option in the NFL… Not a natural defender in coverage, is too stiff in the hips to be effective in man coverage against NFL tight ends and backs… Is not an incredibly flashy player, does not possess elite quickness or agility… Can get caught up in traffic when scraping due to average lateral agility, needs to work on taking better angles near the line of scrimmage to make up for being a little heavy on his feet.
"CBS Draft ScoutRead & React: Instinctive defender. Reads keys quickly and gets to the ball with on wasted motion. Great production and made many tackles beating blockers to the point. Rarely fooled by misdirection, though he is aggressive in attacking the line of scrimmage and can be tricked by good play-action. Keeps his head on a swivel in coverage and reacts quickly to the throw. Is always around the ball.Run defense: Very instinctive. Not a particularly physical linebacker despite his production. Prefers to slip past blockers by recognizing the play or using quick, strong hands to slap away blockers’ attempts to get into his chest. Willing to take on the fullback at the point of attack. Does a nice job of leading with the correct shoulder to slip off the block in tight quarters and make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. Slips blocks as well as any linebacker in the country. Lacks the power, however, to physically jolt blockers to disengage. When blockers are able to get their hands on him, he struggles to come free. Gives excellent effort, however, in pursuit.Pass defense: Inconsistent with his initial jam of the tight end at the line of scrimmage. Gains good depth on his initial drops, but isn’t a great athlete capable of running with backs or speedy tight ends down the seam. At his best in coverage playing zone and reading the eyes of quarterbacks. Breaks quickly when the ball comes out. Good ball skills and has four career interceptions.Tackling: His best asset. Breaks down well in the open field and is a reliable tackler. Does a nice job of wrapping his arms around the ballcarrier, usually at the knees or lower for the secure stop. Leads with his shoulder and brings his hips, delivering a nice pop, though he isn’t a truly explosive hitter. Has a short-area burst to close. Quick hands to rip the ball away. Can force fumbles upon contact, including six in 2009. Good hand-eye coordination to make the diving stop.Pass Rush/Blitz: Lacks a true pass-rush repertoire, but is an experienced blitzer who times the snap well. Good burst and flexibility to avoid blockers and shows a burst to close when he has an open lane. Re-directs well and can chase down the scrambling quarterback. Rips at the ball, rather than just going for the sack, when he has a blindside hit of the quarterback. Registered 10.5 sacks in his career, including 6.5 as a senior.Intangibles: A standout special teams player. Might be an ascending player whose best football is still ahead of him. Credited with one of the biggest and unusual plays in UW history with an interception — on a deflection off the foot of an Arizona receiver — and 37-yard return for a touchdown in 2009. His touchdown, Washington’s second in the final three minutes, gave the Huskies a stunning 36-33 victory."
National Football Post (Rest is here)
Is a bit limited in his back-pedal and doesn’t get much depth in his drop. However, possesses good body control in coverage and for a bigger backer possesses good fluidity in and out of his breaks. Looks clean when asked to redirect, isn’t overly explosive, but does a nice job maintaining balance and getting after the football. Exhibits good ball skills and has a good feel in zone, reading the quarterback’s eyes and getting his hands on footballs thrown. Always seems to put himself around the football.
Impression: A guy who has just really worn on me as the year went on. Possesses a nice frame, uses his hands well to slip blocks, finds and tackles the football well and exhibits above-average fluidity in coverage. Isn’t a dynamic athlete, but good enough to become a very solid starting linebacker in the NFL.
Big Boards
CBS draft Scout 90th overall
National Football Post 35th overall
FF Toolbox 87th
NFL draft Bible 42nd overall
Drafttek.com 56th overall
Where the Mocks Have Him Falling (2/1/2011)
Sideline Scouting.com Round 3 pick #72 New Orleans Saints
Drafttek.com 2nd round pick #52 NY Giants
Draftsite.com Round 2 pick #54 Philadelphia Eagles
Bartolis’ Final Thought
I’ll keep this simple. Sign me up for Mason Foster. I’m not sure when is the best place to get him (ideally late round two or early round three through trading down) so the Giants might have to “reach” a bit for Mason Foster, but he’s a very good football player and is the kind of linebacker the Giants have been missing for awhile. A guy who is a leader on the field, his brimming with intensity and can be a tackling machine.
Foster isn’t the best player and coverage and he’s not the elite athlete a Bruce Carter or Akeem Ayers is. He doesn’t have prototypical size (he has pretty good size though), but this guy is just a consistent performer who has the intangible make up to succeed in the N.F.L. He NEVER gives up on a play, and hustling and being instinctive are two biggies in the N.F.L. and Foster has it. So while he’s not my absolute ideal pick for the Giants in the second round, he’s a player I’d be happy if the Giants came away with in the second round or even better in the third round.
Other teams that should be interested in Foster in the second or third rounds are the:
Titans who are still interested in finding Keith Bulluck’s long term replacement.
The St. Louis Rams have nothing other than James Lauranitis to speak of at linebacker.
The Minnesota Vikings who may lose Chad Greenway to Free agency and who also need an upgrade or replacement for Ben Leber (I believe he’s also a free agent)
Jacksonville Jaguars-The Jaguars have spent the last two seasons fortifying their trenches and may start to look at acquiring talent for the other positions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Lance Briggs didn’t have the “timed speed” to be a great fit at the Tampa 2, but has actually excelled in the system where his instincts and hustle find him involved in a lot of plays, this too may be true for Mason Foster.
New Orleans Saints-Jonathan Vilma is a stud, they drafted Sean Weatherspoon, but they could still use another player to play with those two because Scott Shanle is not very good.
Player Comparison:
Low End: Landon Johnson, Detroit Lions. If Foster doesn’t maximize his potential I think he can be a Landon Johnson player. A player who has shown flashes at times and has gone over a 100 tackles a few years in his young career. Johnson and Foster are Not similar in the way they play, necessarily, but rather in the kind of impact Foster might have if he doesn’t reach his potential. I think at the very least he can be a starter for a bad team, and a constant depth player.
High End Lance Briggs-They are the same size and coming out of college Briggs wasn’t the most athletic player. Briggs wasn’t super fast, he wasn’t overly impressive with the wonderlic, but he’s just an intense productive football player. I think Foster is more athletic (slightly) than Briggs and has even better intangibles and I think he can be the kind of player that Briggs has become for the Chicago Bears, which is something any team could really use.
Previous Profiles
So far I’ve also profiled Mark Herzlich, Gabe Carimi, Anthony Castanzo, Brandon Harris, Kyle Rudolph, Akeem Ayers, Bruce carter, Greg jones, Mark Ingram DeMarco Murray, and Aldon Smith: all of which are located at giantsgab.com
Feel free to request any other player and I will do a profile on that player.
Have a nice day, everyone.