I think the predominance of "foreigners" after the JCs can be attributed to the increased usage of provincials as soldiers. The Italians were simply too rich and comfortable to be bothered anymore. When the army is largely made up by Gauls it's sensible to present a Gaulish emperor. When it is made up by Germans you have a germanic emperor (or master of soldiers).
Let's not forget the emperors functioned largely as a form of puppets. The real power still lay with the rich families in Italy. If an emperor threatened their livelihood he didn't last long.
http://historum.com/ancient-history/19034-national-ethnic-origins-roman-emperors-2.html
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