Let’s turn the clock back to one year ago. The 2017 NFL draft is coming up in a few weeks, and Broncos Country is in the midst of the traditional debate over who the team should take. There’s an obvious hole in the roster at left tackle, and the draft interest tracker is showing visits with all three potential 1st round OTs. Garett Bolles has made his impression on the coaches & front office, and in a few weeks he’ll be pulling a Rafiki on national television with an orange & blue jersey in hand.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

But though Bolles would end up being the Broncos’ choice with the 20th overall pick, there were plenty of Broncos fans who went to bed upset that a different name wasn’t scribbled on that draft card: Reuben Foster.

Foster, then a punishing senior linebacker out of Alabama, was sliding down the draft board in response to several issues. Questions about his durability and prior injuries were compounded by serious character concerns. The most prominent of those was an angry outburst at combine medical personnel after Foster tired of waiting in line.

Foster, now a 2nd year 49ers linebacker endured a rookie season plagued by constant stingers. But it’s not a trip to the medical tent that has put his 2018 season- and perhaps his career- in jeopardy. No, that’s all on him and his own poor choices.

Yesterday, Foster was arraigned on three felony charges stemming from a February fight in which he beat his girlfriend badly. The assault brings to mind the video that broke several years ago of former NFL running back Ray Rice punching out his wife in an elevator. Foster faces severe repercussions, from the NFL and more importantly from the criminal justice system.

It’s safe to say that John Elway and the Denver Broncos dodged a bullet last April 27th. In the span of a year Reuben Foster has gone from talented prospect with significant questions to cautionary tale. But it’s the 49ers, not the Broncos, who will have to deal with the fallout. And while questions remain about whether or not Garett Bolles will develop into a true franchise left tackle, in this case at least it’s safe to say that best decision John Elway made that day was to not call in Foster’s name instead.

Horse Tracks

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Most memorable NFL draft moments for all 32 teams
From the Chargers selecting Eli Manning (only to trade him) to Eagles fans booing Donovan McNabb, here’s a look back at top draft-day highlights.

NFL draft prospect Shaquem Griffin has already inspired a legion of young fans
All across the country, kids will watch the NFL draft, waiting to hear the name of the football player who’s shown them they can do anything.

Todd McShay’s NFL draft grades for every first-round QB since 2008, plus 2018’s top QBs
Sam Darnold is Todd McShay’s top-ranked quarterback in this draft class. Here’s where he grades out among the likes of Andrew Luck, Carson Wentz and 27 others.

Against all odds, Michael Crabtree-Aqib Talib III is on – NFL.com
Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree will ply their trade outside the confines of the AFC West in 2018, but that won’t stop the two men from sharing a field this year.

Gayle Benson: I will own, operate Saints for the rest of my life – NFL.com
The following is a statement written by New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson that was sent to the 31 other clubs, which was obtained by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Jarvis Landry, Browns finalizing five-year extension – NFL.com
The Cleveland Browns are finalizing a five-year contract extension with wide receiver Jarvis Landry, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports. The Browns traded for the former Dolphins WR last month.

Bucky Brooks mock draft 4.0: Ravens pick Lamar Jackson – NFL.com
QBs fly off the board in Bucky Brooks’ new mock draft. Six signal-callers go in the first half of Round 1, including Mason Rudolph (Bills at No. 12) and Lamar Jackson (Ravens at No. 16).

NFL Draft 2018: How much does it cost to scout a top QB prospect? – SBNation.com
You want to take a franchise QB? Well it’ll cost you before he even hits the field in training camp.

Bad NFL Scouting Reports Match Game
Connect these terrible player evaluations to their matching quarterbacks.

Vontaze Burfict suspension: Bengals LB to miss 4 games for PEDs – SBNation.com
The Bengals linebacker will be suspended for the beginning of a third consecutive season.

The 2018 NFL Mock Draft Database

49ers LB Reuben Foster charged with felony domestic violence – SBNation.com
Foster was arrested in February.

Seahawks postpone workout with Colin Kaepernick over stance on protests – SBNation.com
It would have been Kaepernick’s first workout since he became a free agent.

5 things we learned from the Golden Knights’ first-ever playoff victory – Knights On Ice
(Yeah, I know. It’s not NFL. But some props are deserved for the most successful expansion team in the history of major professional sports.)

By Ryan Quigley@RP_Quigs Apr 12, 2018, 12:00pm EDT