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One of the big stories so far this offseason for the Baltimore Ravens was the sudden retirement of linebacker Zachary Orr. Orr's playing career came to a premature end due to a congenital neck and spinal condition he suffered at the end of last year. While the Ravens have done a good job shoring up the secondary, and also acquiring Danny Woodhead on the offense, the team has not addressed the inside linebacker position opposite C.J. Mosley.
Currently, the plan is to put last year’s second round pick Kamalei Correa into that spot, but there are concerns with how he transitions into this role since Correa was underwhelming when he did go in on defense last season. Correa's natural strength at Boise State was as a pass rusher, but the team seems adamant to insert him into the inside linebacker role. It also doesn't mean he's a lock, and head coach John Harbaugh loves competition. That possible competition is coming in for a visit today.
NFL Network's Ian Rapport reports that Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster will visit the Owings Mills complex:
#Bama LB Reuben Foster visited the #Jets today along with #Miami TE David Njoku & #NCState’s Josh Jones. Foster has #Ravens tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 17, 2017
Standing at 6'0" feet tall and weighing in at 229 pounds, Foster was very stout under head coach Nick Saban's defense. Foster led the Tide with 115 tackles in 2016, to go along with five sacks. He also won the SEC Championship game MVP last season, recording 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Foster is considered the top linebacker in the draft, and he already visited the New York Jets on Monday.
Foster didn't become a starter until his junior season. Of course, the guy he backed up was Crimson Tide alum and current Raven, C.J. Mosley. With Foster's visit to Baltimore, and the Ravens needing another linebacker, the team might be able to put the Alabama duo together if the pieces fall into place for them come draft day next week. Both would be picked by another Crimson Tide great in general manger Ozzie Newsome.
Without a doubt, Foster and Mosley could make a stout group of starting inside linebackers in 2017, and continue what Mosley and Orr left off last year. The old saying with the Ravens is "best player available," and Foster could be that when the Ravens are on the clock next Thursday.
If Foster's available at #16, would you want the Ravens to take him?