It’s tough to ignore that despite the Dolphins surprising playoff run, linebacker play has been average at best this season. So why not grab an athletic linebacker that can man the ‘Mike’ linebacker spot behind the disruptive defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Cunningham has great size at 6-4 and 230 pounds. The production while at Vanderbilt has increased by each season. His past junior season showcased a tackling machine with 125 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss. Cunningham has the versatility to play both middle and outside linebacker. If head coach Adam Gase and the Dolphins wanted his height and length on the outside, it can be very useful there as well. Not to mention, Cunningham adds coverage ability as well. The linebacker is jack-of-all-trades at linebacker and his presence on defense adds a roaming linebacker behind Suh and the rest of the Dolphins defensive line. Cunningham has enough raw talent to be an under-the-radar Rookie of the Year candidate in Miami’s scheme.