OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Will the Baltimore Ravens select an Alabama inside linebacker in the first round for the second time in four drafts?
The Ravens believe there is a chance.
Baltimore has a pre-draft visit with Reuben Foster on Wednesday, according to the NFL Network. It was only three years ago when the Ravens took C.J. Mosley in the first round.
This meeting is positive thinking on the Ravens' part considering Baltimore has the No. 16 overall pick, and Foster is considered one of the top-10 players in this draft.
Foster, the consensus No. 1 inside linebacker in this year's draft, flies to the ball and shows explosive tackling when he gets there. Last season, he led Alabama with 115 tackles, including 13 for loss and five sacks.
It's been speculated that Foster could drop in the draft because few teams in the top half of the first round need an inside linebacker, and there could be some concern over his surgically-repaired shoulder (his agent indicated Foster would be ready for training camp). Plus, Foster had a "heated altercation" with a hospital worker at the NFL combine this year and was sent home before he had the opportunity to meet with teams.
At a pre-draft press conference earlier this month, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome was asked if the incident at the combine changed his opinion on Foster or did he have to dig a little deeper.
"Well, he went to Alabama," Newsome said, "so I think I have the inside on most of that information that comes out of there."
Recent mocks suggest Foster could fall into the middle of the first round. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Indianapolis Colts taking Foster at No. 15, and Todd McShay has the Washington Redskins selects him at No. 17.
The Ravens are in need of an inside linebacker after leading tackler Zachary Orr surprisingly retired due to a congenital spine and neck condition. Coach John Harbaugh has expressed optimism that 2016 second-round pick Kamalei Correa will replace Orr, but he only had three tackles last year as a rookie.
Last month, McShay gave Foster one of the top compliments on Twitter, saying the "more tape I watch, the more I think [he's] the best pure football player in this draft."
