Scout's view: Rookie QB an outstanding bargain-bin pickup for Patriots
Daniel Kelly spent four years in pro scouting with the New York Jets. He is the published author of the book "Whatever It Takes," the story of a fan making it into the NFL.
Every year there's an unheralded NFL rookie who seemingly comes out of nowhere. This season that player may be the New England Patriots' Malik Cunningham, who made his preseason debut Thursday against the Houston Texans.
Now, Cunningham wasn't unheralded to me. I had a first-round grade on the former Louisville QB. He met my first-round prerequisites by being a difference-maker with a skill set that translates to the NFL.
But Cunningham went undrafted and was snapped up by the Patriots soon after the draft for $200,000 guaranteed and a $30,000 signing bonus — a record amount for an undrafted New England player. As demonstrated by San Francisco QB Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant as the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, it doesn't always matter when you are selected as much as it matters who selects you.
That's why big things could be in store for Cunningham, who's lucky to play for Bill Belichick, arguably the best coach of all time. "The Hoody," of course, drafted QB Tom Brady in the sixth round in 2000, and he did OK in the league.
Now, I'm not comparing Cunningham to Purdy or Brady. Before his senior season, however, Cunningham drew comparisons to Baltimore Ravens dual-threat star Lamar Jackson, another former Louisville QB. Cunningham left the school with a higher passer rating (151.8) than Jackson (142.9), but Jackson has a better time in the 40-yard dash (unofficial 4.34 to Cunningham's 4.53).
At Louisville, Cunningham rushed for 3,179 yards and 50 touchdowns and threw for 9,660 yards and 70 TDs. He left school with a 62.9% completion percentage.
We won't know for a while if Belichick has outsmarted the league again. He initially slotted Cunningham as a receiver, but he didn't make a catch against Houston. During the season, I expect New England to unveil a "Malik Package," which will incorporate the triple-threat Cunningham into a mismatch nightmare offensive scheme. Meanwhile, he'll back up Bailey Zappe and starter Mac Jones at QB.
After studying game film of 12 Cunningham games over two seasons, I wondered if he was former NFL star QB Randall Cunningham's son. (He's not). The resemblance, however, is uncanny in their body language and style of play. The difference is height — Randall Cunningham, who retired after the 2001 season, is 6-foot-4 while Malik is only six feet.
Here's what impressed me about the 24-year-old rookie during his first preseason game:
1. He looked relaxed
Under the watchful eye of Belichick, Cunningham looked more comfortable at quarterback than C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Despite lining up with a bunch of guys he wasn't especially familiar with, Cunningham didn't look like a rookie. He led the offense with a smooth and calm tempo. The unit responded to his demeanor with a well-executed team effort on a 14-play touchdown drive.
2. He did what he was asked
A rookie for Belichick must prove to be dependable before he plays in a regular-season game, regardless of talent. Cunningham did not make any glaring mistakes against Houston. Clearly, New England values his running ability (five carries for 34 yards), but he also looked good passing, going 3-for-4 for 19 yards in the fourth quarter.
3. Flashed playmaking ability
On third-and-two from the Texans' 21, Cunningham rolled right and launched a dime into the end zone, just out of the reach of the receiver. On the subsequent third-and-six from Houston's nine, Cunningham juked a Texans linebacker out of his cleats before scoring a TD. In a small sample size, he flashed quick reflexes and an ability to improvise.
Bottom line
Cunningham will make the team because the Patriots handed him record money for a New England undrafted player and he fits Belichick's style. After the game, the rookie told the media, "I'm a team player, so whatever the coaches need me to do, I'm going to do for the team."
Somewhere "The Hoody" must have cracked a smile.
More must-reads: