2017 NFL Mock Draft: Can we trust the Cleveland Browns?
By John Buhler
Zach Cunningham
Inside Linebacker, Vanderbilt Commodores
This isn’t a great draft for inside linebackers, but the Kansas City Chiefs could certainly use some help in that department. Derrick Johnson is getting up their in age and is increasingly injury-prone. Frankly, the Chiefs could go quarterback at No. 27 as well, but expect them to kick the can for another year and see if Alex Smith can throw a touchdown a game this fall.
With Alabama Crimson Tide inside linebacker Reuben Foster already off the board, Kansas City should go after Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham at No. 27. He’s the best pro prospect to come out of Vanderbilt since Jay Cutler and for a good reason. The guy just makes plays in the middle of his defense.
Vanderbilt went bowling this fall thanks to some outstanding games by Cunningham. He pretty much beat Georgia single-handedly in Athens. His blocked field goal almost had the ‘Dores upset Auburn down on The Plains. Cunningham’s on-field leadership had them beat rivals Ole Miss and Tennessee down the stretch to go bowling.
In short, Cunningham may not be the physical specimen that teams would want out of first-round middle linebackers. However, he plays with the heart of a lion and the eye of a tiger. He’ll go the distance with any Apollo Creed Andy Reid puts him up against.