Roy Foster Madden Career 1992-1994 - Peak 79 OVR

Roy Foster was a two-time All-American at USC and a two-time winner of the Morris Trophy as the best lineman in his conference, and Miami made him a first-round pick, 24th overall, in 1982. He spent his best years as a Dolphin, making Pro Bowls in 1985 and 1986 and playing in two Super Bowls, both losses, including the XIX defeat to the very 49ers team he would later join.

Madden only ever saw the last act. Foster came to San Francisco in 1991 as a veteran interior starter, and the game's three cards of him are all in red and gold: a 56 for the 1991 season, a 63 for 1992, and a 79 for 1993, the grade rising as he settled in at guard rather than falling the way a 30-something lineman's usually does. It is a small, honest arc for a player the ratings met late.

He started three seasons for the 49ers and retired after 1993, closing a twelve-year career with a distinction almost no lineman can claim: he blocked for Dan Marino, Joe Montana and Steve Young, three of the best quarterbacks who ever lived. Madden never rated his prime. By the time it was paying attention, Foster was a steady old pro finishing a good career on a great team.