Texans take Vanderbilt ILB Zach Cunningham in Rd. 2

Apr 28, 2017 at 01:20 PM

The Texans selected Vanderbilt inside linebacker Zach Cunningham with their second round pick.

Chosen 57th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, Cunningham comes to the Texans with an impressive resume during his time in the Southeastern Conference.

At 6-3, 234 pounds, Cunningham was a consensus All-American in 2016. He tallied 16.5 tackles for loss, recovered four fumbles and forced two more. A self-described playmaker, Cunningham recorded 19 tackles against Georgia on October 15. He didn't think he was going to be a Texan.

"This is a huge surprise to me," Cunningham said via a conference call with the Houston media. "Right now I'm just taking it all in."

Cunningham was a Butkus award finalist and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik award.

"I'm definitely a guy who is able to get from sideline-to-sideline," Cunningham said. "I've got a lot of speed, quickness and agility. I'm able to cover. I'm able to fit in the run."

Brian Cushing and Benardrick McKinney started at the inside linebackers spot in 2016.

34. Zach Cunningham, ILB, Vanderbilt Previous: 28 Combine: The 6-3, 234 lb. Cunningham tested well in Indianapolis, posting a 4.67 40-yard dash, 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-5 broad jump. From an athletic standpoint, there are few questions. He was expected to shine at the Combine and did. Overall: He doesn’t look the part of an inside linebacker. He’s long. He’s rangy. He’s tall. Then, the ball’s snapped and it’s clear why he’s one of the best in the nation. His athleticism is off the charts and his nose for the ball is without peer. He reminds me of Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Anthony Barr, a long armed athlete that played outside at UCLA, but transitioned inside when he was drafted in 2014. Cunningham can be an outstanding run-and-hit inside linebacker in a 3-4 at the next level. Final Thoughts: Some don’t see Cunningham as a first round selection, but he’s a long, lean athlete that has a ton of potential at a number of different off the ball linebacker spots in the future.

A post shared by Harris 100 (@theharris100) on Apr 24, 2017 at 7:15pm PDT

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