Watch Undrafted Free Agent D.J. Foster Choose The Patriots Over Arizona, Houston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The 2016 NFL Draft left D.J. Foster without a team. But that doesn't mean there wasn't interest in the former Arizona State running back/wide receiver's services in free agency. Watch how the post-draft process unfolded for Foster in the video above from Sports360 in Arizona.
Foster says he knew he could "be a great fit for a lot of teams out there," the Patriots being among the top destinations for his versatile skill set and the team's diverse offensive schemes.
"The Patriots were always in the back of my mind throughout this process seeing how they use the kind of hybrid guys, Danny Woodhead, [Danny] Amendola," said Foster. "I'm just honored to be a part of it."
In another video clip, by NBC 12 News in Arizona, Foster is shown talking on the phone with coaches from the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans. The hometown Cardinals appeared to be the favorite to land Foster, until he spoke on the phone with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
He says "I think the Patriots are the best deal," and that the Patriots offered him the most money, before choosing between New England and Houston. He says to his friends "Do I want to be more of a running back or do I want to be a receiver? I don't know, I can be both," before informing the Cardinals that he chose the Patriots.
Speaking to an unidentified Patriots coach (Josh McDaniels?), who tells Foster "We could not be any more fired up over here right now," Foster says "[New England] is where I wanted to go from the very beginning," and adds that he spoke to Belichick - who after congratulating Foster apparently told him "Don't be out of shape" when he gets to rookie minicamp.
Foster scored 32 total touchdowns at Arizona State, 14 as a receiver and 18 as a running back. There's no doubt that Belichick will use Foster in a variety of ways if he can make the team out of camp.
