Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster is set to be an unrestricted free agent now that the season is over and he probably increased his value a little more in the 24-10 win Sunday over the Cleveland Browns.
Foster, a former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, was forced to kick outside to right tackle in the third quarter after rookie Kelvin Beachum was forced from the game with a concussion after being blind-sided by Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor.
Foster started the season at right guard for the Steelers and his play was very consistent there. After left guard Willie Colon was lost for the season with a knee injury back in Week 14 against the San Diego Chargers Foster was forced to switch over to left side for the following games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals, and once again he held his own there.
Over the course of the season Foster has missed all of 60 snaps and those came in the season opener against the Denver Broncos after suffering an eye injury. Since that time he has played every snap at three different positions.
Foster has seen some reps at right tackle during practice over the course of the season and even started there in the second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he first showed his position flexibility.
Heading into the Sunday season finale Foster had allowed just a handful of sacks a few quarterback hits and less than 20 pressures. Don\’t think that his game tape will go unnoticed across the league.
Depending on what happens with Colon next season the Steelers would be smart to try and head Foster off with a new contract prior to the start of free agency. Colon has landed on the injured reserve list the last three seasons and there will be a huge question mark at the left guard spot heading into next season should he be released.
While other unrestricted free agents on the roster such as cornerback Keenan Lewis will be a higher offseason priority to get resigned, Foster has to rank right up there just after him. He undoubtedly would like to stay in Pittsburgh and the front office needs to make sure it happens. Even if his price tag increased a little bit against the Browns.
