Zach Cunningham #41, HOU LB
bio:
Zach Cunningham is an inside linebacker for Houston drafted in the 2nd round (#57 overall) out of Vanderbilt in the 2017 draft. He was a first-team All-American in 2016 and led the league in tackles in 2020.
attributes:
A physical, every down 5th-year linebacker with playmaking ability, especially in the run game. He has average size and respectable athleticism for his position. He has an above-average College Prospect Score (CPS).
| Age* | Height | Weight | 40 | SPARQ | CPS |
| 26.8 | 6’3″ | 234 | 4.67 | 126 | 2.7 |
player grade:
Cunningham has quietly been one of the better run defending linebackers in the league, per PFF.com. He is a sure tackler and has improved his pass rush, but he has graded worse every year in coverage (though the coverage grade seems a bit unfair based on his tape).
| Year | Overall | Run Defense | Pass Rush | Coverage |
| 2017 | 66.6 | 73.3 | 58.0 | 62.1 |
| 2018 | 65.2 | 75.4 | 54.4 | 57.2 |
| 2019 | 69.0 | 89.2 | 66.6 | 50.2 |
| 2020 | 60.9 | 72.7 | 78.6 | 43.0 |
injury:
Cunningham missed 2 games in 2018 due to a knee injury.
tackles:
Cunningham has increased his tackle output each year in the league, getting 164 combined tackles in 2020! As a result, he has an elite floor in IDP and elite upside in tackle-heavy leagues.
| Year | SOLO | AST | COMBINED | A4GM* |
| 2017 | 48 | 42 | 90 | 90 |
| 2018 | 73 | 34 | 107 | 122 |
| 2019 | 99 | 43 | 142 | 142 |
| 2020 | 106 | 58 | 164 | 164 |
big plays:
Cunningham is strong in the run game but doesn’t make many plays in the passing game and is not used as a pass rusher very often. Therefore, his upside is somewhat limited in leagues that don’t favor tackles.
| Year | SACK | STF | INT | PD | FF | FR |
| 2017 | 1.5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0.0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2.0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3.0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
contract:
Cunningham signed a 4 year, $58 million contract extension in 2020. Houston has a potential out in 2023. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025 (Age 31).
summary:
Zach Cunningham is a physical run defender and an every-down linebacker. Expect him to compete for a Top 5 LB finish in tackle-heavy leagues and Top 10 in ESPN scoring leagues. He should also compete for a Top 5 dynasty finish if he posts elite tackles again in 2021.
