The Washington Redskins received good news with Reuben Foster avoiding a suspension.
On paper, this means the Redskins fill a big need with a high-quality prospect who can start right away. It should also mean the team can avoid drafting the position early.
But it isn’t so straightforward with Foster.
Foster has a substantial history of problems over a short period of time, including four run-ins with police, being cut from his originial team despite an immense need (which they filled by overpaying Kwon Alexander) and getting kicked out of the NFL combine for being combative.
Should Foster fall short again, the Redskins have already made it clear there is a zero-tolerance policy. On the interior of the linebacker core, that leaves Mason Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Josh Harvey-Clemons.
This isn’t saying the Redskins should draft a linebacker early — Foster’s presence from Week 1 and on means the front office is free to attack more prominent issues.
But at some point, the Redskins might find value in adding another insurance policy given the inherent risk of rolling the dice on Foster.
