NFL Draft 2017: 5 Hidden Gems in Second and Third Rounds
10. . Linebacker. Vanderbilt. Zach Cunningham. 5. player
The Houston Texans added another strong defensive player in Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham. Houston drafted the underclassman with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft. He was expected to be a second round pick on boards. However, he wasn’t watched much in college. Vanderbilt went just 13-24 over his three years, so Cunningham didn’t get much air time.
Regardless of his team’s struggles, some big things stood out in his game. Cunningham started all three years for the Commodores, and he produced. He compiled 256 tackles, 36 tackles for loss and six sacks and six forced fumbles.
In the run game, he’s a ball hawk. He tracks the ball extremely well and is a straight-line attacker in the backfield. Most of his plays are made before blockers can put their hands on him. Luckily for him, he’ll join one of the NFL’s best defenses and front sevens.
With J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney up front, he’ll have loads of room to operate with fellow backers Brian Cushing, Benardrick McKinney and Whitney Mercilus.