Mason Foster

Expectations were high for Foster in 2017 following his 124-tackle campaign the season prior. Things didn't go as planned, however, as a torn labrum limited him to just 31 tackles in five games before he ultimately landed on injured reserve in October. With the seven-year vet fully recovered entering the 2018 season, the Redskins should be set to improve upon its last-place finish in run defense (134.1 yards per game), but it's hard to get excited about Foster's IDP prospects considering his career year in 2016 failed to net him even a top-20 finish among linebackers.

Foster's second season in Washington was the best of his career, as he recorded a team-high 124 tackles to go along with three passes defended, one sack and a forced fumble. However, with the addition of linebacker Zach Brown from Buffalo, Foster will have more competition for tackles in the middle of Washington's defense. It appears Foster, Brown and veteran Will Compton, who has been an integral member of the Redskins defense each of the past three seasons, will battle for the team's two starting inside linebacker positions during training camp. That leaves it up to Foster to prove last season's numbers were no fluke, otherwise he could find himself on the sideline more often this time around.

After signing a one-year deal with the Bears in March, Foster was viewed as a potential contender for a starting role at middle linebacker heading into training camp, but that never materialized. Foster's lack of versatility on special teams resulted in the Bears releasing him at the end of camp rather than keeping him in the fold as a reserve.

Foster was mentioned this offseason as a candidate to be replaced in Tampa Bay's starting lineup, but it appears the Buccaneers will stick with him for another year after declining to add competition in the draft and free agency. Playing in Lovie Smith's defense, a full-time role should yield good IDP production for Foster. Although his tackle production is modest, he's among the league's best blitzing linebackers. He posted two sacks in each of his first three seasons, and he showed further playmaking skills by intercepting three passes last year, returning two for touchdowns.

Foster certainly had a better sophomore campaign (105 tackles) than his rookie year, when his tackle total (84) was a disappointment. Expect him to post similar - if not slightly better - numbers across the board in 2013, making him an IDP-league consideration.

After an extremely productive college career at Washington and positive early reviews from the Buccaneers, Foster was largely a flop as a starting middle linebacker in his rookie year. He finished with 83 tackles and two sacks, which is not quite what the Bucs were looking for when they gave him the job. He will be back this year to improve on those numbers, and should be in good position to do so with a his first full offseason to prepare.

Foster was a superb college player who should be a big-time IDP whenever he gets a starting spot in Tampa’s defense. If Barrett Ruud doesn't return, Foster has a great shot at starting at middle linebacker as a rookie for the Buccaneers this year. In that case, consider moving Foster as high as the top-20. He finished his senior season at Washington with an absurd total of 162 tackles (105 solo) in just 13 games, and that's not to mention the 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.