2023 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Malik Cunningham
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Louisville
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 192lbs
Film Watched: Wake Forest 2019, Western Kentucky 2020, Virginia 2020
Pro's:
- Electric athlete. Strikes the fear of God into defenses with his running ability
- Lamar-esque levels of elusivity in the open field
- Highly experienced quarterback with 56 college games under his belt
- Big play waiting to happen. TD machine – 70 passing, 50 rushing at Louisville
- Born to run an RPO scheme
- Sound, risk-averse decision-maker in the passing game
- Comfortable operating on the move. Bootlegs, play action all in his wheelhouse
Malik Cunningham RAS so far.https://t.co/eYBhcroTLi #RAS pic.twitter.com/S2gwQkgkva
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 4, 2023
Con's:
- Lightweight frame that raises legitimate durability concerns
- Hates the confines of the pocket and trusts his feet more than his protection
- Half-field reader – Louisville kept the passing playbook simple
- Accuracy falls off a cliff when driving the ball long. Every deep pass is a prayer
- Doesn’t throw with anticipation – needs to see it to believe it
- Dubious understanding of defensive coverages. Lack of timing to attack soft spots
The Verdict:
“Does any prospect come out of Louisville weighing more than 200lbs? Malik Cunningham set the college football world alight in his first season as a starter back in 2019, but hasn’t really raised the level since. A devastatingly effective weapon with the ball in his hand, Cunningham is known as a running QB first and a passing one second. That won’t fly at the next level, and he’ll need to dramatically rethink his approach to working behind an offensive line - as well as take a leap mentally when it comes to throwing the football. I simply don’t see that happening - but I do believe Cunningham can ultimately have a bespoke role as a playmaker with five or six snaps each game, challenging NFL defenses to adjust from a more conventional offense. Someone like Sean Payton would love to have Cunningham as an ace up his sleeve.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: PAT WHITE
PREDICTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
5/5