Speaking of LB's:
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2017/2/28/14757880/nfl-draft-2017-profile-linebacker-zach-cunningham-potential-cowboys-first-round-pick
#41 - Zach Cunningham - Linebacker - Vanderbilt - 6-4, 230
Games Watched: Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, N.C. State
Pros: Excellent size and length with a frame that could easily add weight without sacrificing speed. Intimidating physical presence at times in the run game with excellent range and closing speed. Impressive strength and pop to jolt offensive linemen back in the run game, very strong hands to stack/shed, explosive and physical when attacking the run downhill. Effective blitzer, projects well in that regard with his combination of size, strength, and speed. Flexible in tight spaces with the ability to bend and beat offensive linemen to the spot. Rare to see this type of sideline-to-sideline speed and overall athleticism in a linebacker this size. Projects well to any 4-3 linebacker position due to his combination of size, speed, length, and athleticism.
Cons: Extremely poor tackling technique/form where he doesn’t wrap up and simply tries to arm tackle, resulting in way too many missed tackles on routine plays where ball carriers will slide off him and gain extra yards. Relies too much on his power in going for knockout/highlight hits. Tends to tackle high and grabs at players instead of getting low and running through ball carriers. Over-pursues far too often and loses gap integrity, doesn’t look very instinctive as far as being able to quickly diagnose plays or taking the proper angles. Looks a bit stiff and not very fluid in his coverage drops at times, he generally seems to have the athleticism and length to be able to hold up in short middle zones in the NFL but I think his coverage ability is overstated. Could struggle if asked to cover NFL RB’s and TE’s in man coverage due to mechanical change of direction in space downfield. Disappears for long stretches, even entire games (bowl game vs. N.C. State).
Conclusion: The potential for this player is through the roof due to his rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism. At times he looks like a future All-Pro but in my personal opinion he is entirely too inconsistent and disappears far too often to make me feel comfortable with taking him at 28. He consistently runs himself out of plays and misses easy tackles, which are two cardinal sins of the linebacker position. If he takes to coaching and has the drive to be great there is almost no ceiling for him, but that’s not a risk that I want to take in the first round when you consider the fact that linebacker is not an overly pressing need for the team.
I understand the intrigue behind a player with his physical gifts, but this draft class is far too strong at positions of far more pressing need for me to take a player that is this inconsistent at 28. Of course he would be a strong consideration if available in the second round.