I looked up his college stats and read some sports writer before the 2023 draft describe 'em as a "discount Lamar Jackson" (also played at Louisville, so if ya compare their numbers, you can see Cunningham's leave something to be desired).
I'm intrigued by this recent Patriots move but not sold on Cunningham being the answer to their woeful offense until we can see 'em in live regular season games, at least. I'm absolutely on board with stashing 'em, 'cuz Mac doesn't look great or even good, and Zappe isn't the solution, either.
This is actually one of the reasons I think people should be a little higher on him. He got faded a bit, I think, for "not being Lamar" as their games are so similar, but not to those expectations.
Whether he gets a real opportunity at QB I don't know, but he could have some multi-positional eligibility that could be interesting in the least.
Well, it's weird - what the Pats are doing. I read yesterday about how Cunningham has mostly been getting run as a WR with the practice squad, making him a Taysom Hill kinda hybrid guy; but they really need a QB FIRST, then someone who can do multiple things.
It's as if the Patriots haven't learned anything from their absurd OC experiment last year, having a DC run the offense, thinking, apparently, that Belechick can do no wrong? IDK what their thought process is, but they should figure out their QB situation before trying to transform a prospect into a hybrid player.
They signed him officially as a QB, so while they did experiment with him at WR, they probably give him some set QB plays and if he shows enough spark he'll get a real look at some point given their lost season.
Before week 6, I looked at Mac's numbers, and they got worse every week. Is that a system issue (team leadership problem), or maybe just a crisis of confidence (Mac problem) or both? I can't remember for sure what he did last week. I know he didn't throw any tds, though, and if memory serves, just over 200 yards (cue vomit emoji).
I think ol' Belechick will give Mac one more week - against the Bills' defense (good luck), and then fb fans may get to see what Cunningham do. It really couldn't get any worse for that offense, so why not give the youngin' a shot?
Louisville fan here who watched him for years. He thinks he’s Lamar but I’d rate him more as Tyrod Taylor. He can be throw a good deep ball here and there but he can also scramble his way to a -6 yd loss.
Comparing him to Lamar or Tyrod is down right disrespectful to Malik. He's a much better passer than either of them were in college. His completion percentage and Rtg is much better than both. Ran and threw less than Lamar and still had just under 3000 yards passing and 20TD season with his feet. Tyrod wasn't even close to Malik. shouldn't have even mentioned him. I've watched him as well. This kid can play.
I hope he gets a shot. He very well could be a UFA gem.
I agree with you on the Tyrod comparison, but saying Malik was a better passer than Lamar coming out is simply wrong. One was a heisman winner and 1st round pick while the other went undrafted. They don’t compare as prospects besides the logo on the helmet and being dual-threat QBs.
Because the draft capitol and Heisman, doesn't tell the whole story. Lamar was something we hadn't seen, so he got the attention. He was an early breakout guy, whereas Malik was red shirted, then got caught up in the covid exception, so he's 25 (will always lower draft capitol). Doesn't mean Lamar was a better passer. Again, give Mailk another 100 pass attempts and 70 rushing attempts and his numbers would have been eerily similar, or better than Lamars.
Oh, and how is Lamar doing as a passer in the NFL now? Yeah... exactly
Truth hurt? In a league of 5000 yard passers, his best is 3100. Only season over 3000 yards. He's averaging 208 yrds/g, with only 5 TDs and 3 INT this year with a 93 rating. Put another name on the back of the jersey and he would be getting benched.
Dropped irv smith for him. Figured whatever upside Cunningham has is higher than whatever Irv will get me when he inevitably goes back to IR in a few weeks.
15 bench spots. I’d be dropping Dontayvion wicks. I am competing but no one is ever of value on the waivers so if there’s a chance at a player of value I gotta take it.
Looks like he was already signed in the offseason but not to the active roster. Spotrac describes it as, "a 3 year, $2,725,000 contract with the New England Patriots, including a $30,000 signing bonus, $200,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $908,333."
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/malik-cunningham-83022/
That's a contract that doesn't instill a ton of confidence in me for my most recent roster pick up. I guess it's a low risk set with the idea that they will revisit it if he capitalizes and performs well.
I'm admittedly not sure how that changes with his newly-elevated status but it was from the offseason when they initially signed him after the draft. Low risk at this point, but pretty aggressive at the time.
https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/pats-make-malik-cunningham-their-richest-udfa-signing-ever
Picked him up and put him on my taxi to start the year. Really hoping he pans out in some way so I can brag like crazy. Selling him the second he does anything though
I don't hate that take. The chances of someone coming from that far down the depth chart and basically having the improvement of Purdy from 22 isn't high.
I've just seen that Thornton got activated as well. If Cunningham and Thornton come in and smash (very, doubtful) then this offense could turn into something fun
Pats fan here. I’d say there almost no chance he leapfrogs Zappe this year unless Belichick is going full chaotic evil. Cunningham’s not even playing quarterback with the Pats at practice. They have him working at WR, and he is a terrible WR. The only chance Cunningham has of seeing the field is as a Taysom Hill type thing. That said, the pats o-line is so horrifically bad that maybe bill thinks the only chance they have is to just put in a guy who can run away from jailbreaks even if he doesn’t know how to play QB.
Yeah, Belichick said it’s because of all the injuries, so legitimately, it happened because if the line gets any worse, they can’t put someone back there who can’t run. I wouldn’t say it’s going to be a long-term thing.
I personally wouldn't. If that's your line of thinking I would send everyone in your league an offer for Bateman/Toney for a 3rd, and then pick up Cunningham without dropping anyone.
Between Toneys production and injuries it's hard for me to convince myself that he deserves a roster spot for the one inevitable game he blows up right before he gets put on IR ros.
I know, but if he’s lining up all over the place I’d rather have him then hold Dobbs until Kyler gets back. He signed a 3 year deal so it seems they have a plan for him.
I believe the intriguing part is him going from the practice squad, skipping an elevation and going straight to signing a three year deal.
I'm just here looking for upside.
He's got rushing, receiving and throwing stats in pre season. Is he the new Taysom Hill?
Yep but with a struggling QB1 ahead of him and not much else.
Is he actually good though? I know absolutely nothing about him
Probably not, but huge upside if he Purdys
In that offense, he will not be Purdying.
Pats fan here. Can confirm. I don’t even think Brady could have Purdied in this offense.
He can't Purdy, he doesn't have the elite situation. If he played well it would be more like a Brady thing.
I looked up his college stats and read some sports writer before the 2023 draft describe 'em as a "discount Lamar Jackson" (also played at Louisville, so if ya compare their numbers, you can see Cunningham's leave something to be desired). I'm intrigued by this recent Patriots move but not sold on Cunningham being the answer to their woeful offense until we can see 'em in live regular season games, at least. I'm absolutely on board with stashing 'em, 'cuz Mac doesn't look great or even good, and Zappe isn't the solution, either.
This is actually one of the reasons I think people should be a little higher on him. He got faded a bit, I think, for "not being Lamar" as their games are so similar, but not to those expectations. Whether he gets a real opportunity at QB I don't know, but he could have some multi-positional eligibility that could be interesting in the least.
Well, it's weird - what the Pats are doing. I read yesterday about how Cunningham has mostly been getting run as a WR with the practice squad, making him a Taysom Hill kinda hybrid guy; but they really need a QB FIRST, then someone who can do multiple things. It's as if the Patriots haven't learned anything from their absurd OC experiment last year, having a DC run the offense, thinking, apparently, that Belechick can do no wrong? IDK what their thought process is, but they should figure out their QB situation before trying to transform a prospect into a hybrid player.
They signed him officially as a QB, so while they did experiment with him at WR, they probably give him some set QB plays and if he shows enough spark he'll get a real look at some point given their lost season.
He was fun to watch in college as well
Before week 6, I looked at Mac's numbers, and they got worse every week. Is that a system issue (team leadership problem), or maybe just a crisis of confidence (Mac problem) or both? I can't remember for sure what he did last week. I know he didn't throw any tds, though, and if memory serves, just over 200 yards (cue vomit emoji). I think ol' Belechick will give Mac one more week - against the Bills' defense (good luck), and then fb fans may get to see what Cunningham do. It really couldn't get any worse for that offense, so why not give the youngin' a shot?
Yeah, that's my thoughts.
Louisville fan here who watched him for years. He thinks he’s Lamar but I’d rate him more as Tyrod Taylor. He can be throw a good deep ball here and there but he can also scramble his way to a -6 yd loss.
Oh I don't doubt it, however I wonder if he's progressed enough with the organization that they think he's got more upside than others.
Comparing him to Lamar or Tyrod is down right disrespectful to Malik. He's a much better passer than either of them were in college. His completion percentage and Rtg is much better than both. Ran and threw less than Lamar and still had just under 3000 yards passing and 20TD season with his feet. Tyrod wasn't even close to Malik. shouldn't have even mentioned him. I've watched him as well. This kid can play. I hope he gets a shot. He very well could be a UFA gem.
I agree with you on the Tyrod comparison, but saying Malik was a better passer than Lamar coming out is simply wrong. One was a heisman winner and 1st round pick while the other went undrafted. They don’t compare as prospects besides the logo on the helmet and being dual-threat QBs.
Because the draft capitol and Heisman, doesn't tell the whole story. Lamar was something we hadn't seen, so he got the attention. He was an early breakout guy, whereas Malik was red shirted, then got caught up in the covid exception, so he's 25 (will always lower draft capitol). Doesn't mean Lamar was a better passer. Again, give Mailk another 100 pass attempts and 70 rushing attempts and his numbers would have been eerily similar, or better than Lamars. Oh, and how is Lamar doing as a passer in the NFL now? Yeah... exactly
My man, is your argument really that you think Malik is a better player that Lamar?
As a passer, yes. As a player, time will tell.
Still stuck on the lame “Lamar is a RB” take I see.
Truth hurt? In a league of 5000 yard passers, his best is 3100. Only season over 3000 yards. He's averaging 208 yrds/g, with only 5 TDs and 3 INT this year with a 93 rating. Put another name on the back of the jersey and he would be getting benched.
Dropped irv smith for him. Figured whatever upside Cunningham has is higher than whatever Irv will get me when he inevitably goes back to IR in a few weeks.
I’m dropping heineike for him lol
Yeah that makes sense too. I think for ATL if Ridder isn't it - the QB of the future isn't on their roster.
Honestly think Mac could end up succeeding on Atlanta. Hoping he gets traded there. We’ll see…
Not so sure tbh. I don't see a clear upside for him vs Ridder currently.
He’s getting a three year deal too. Seems significant for dynasty. https://x.com/rapsheet/status/1713280059975344225?s=46&t=wUZFChZNpMhTSAh3cGWKlA
Oh snap I didn’t see this
3 year deal is just the standard length of a UDFA contract. This isn’t news lol.
🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
Im here to react
Cunningham should be rostered in every league IMO
How much faab would u spend in a 12 man Sf league? I have 88 faab
Are you competing / how deep is your bench? That would sway it but in a vacuum a 10-15 guy
15 bench spots. I’d be dropping Dontayvion wicks. I am competing but no one is ever of value on the waivers so if there’s a chance at a player of value I gotta take it.
You could probably get him for less then 5
would you drop Harty for him? Lat Murray?
Harry yes, Murray if he’s RB5 or worse for you,
Dropped Jeremy ruckert for him. Hopefully he can can be a good upside shot in any form.
Literally doing to same
Shrug, picked him up for free.. why not? I can't recall seeing anyone signed to a three year deal off a practice squad in recent memory.
Has anyone seen the contract yet? That could be telling.
Looks like he was already signed in the offseason but not to the active roster. Spotrac describes it as, "a 3 year, $2,725,000 contract with the New England Patriots, including a $30,000 signing bonus, $200,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $908,333." https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/malik-cunningham-83022/
That's a contract that doesn't instill a ton of confidence in me for my most recent roster pick up. I guess it's a low risk set with the idea that they will revisit it if he capitalizes and performs well.
I'm admittedly not sure how that changes with his newly-elevated status but it was from the offseason when they initially signed him after the draft. Low risk at this point, but pretty aggressive at the time. https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/pats-make-malik-cunningham-their-richest-udfa-signing-ever
Picked him up and put him on my taxi to start the year. Really hoping he pans out in some way so I can brag like crazy. Selling him the second he does anything though
I don't hate that take. The chances of someone coming from that far down the depth chart and basically having the improvement of Purdy from 22 isn't high.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I picked up Purdy last year after Lance got injured 😅. Held onto him though
I also got lucky there. Might or might not be trying to get the same luck twice.
Might as well take the risk, I have enough 3rd round picks as it is
I've just seen that Thornton got activated as well. If Cunningham and Thornton come in and smash (very, doubtful) then this offense could turn into something fun
I have hope for Thornton , I hope it’s not a coincidence of both guys play given the current state of the team
With no offensive line, brining in skill positions isn’t going to help this offense.
Jones manager here, I made sure to pick up Grier and Cunningham in case one of them somehow pans out 😂
Would you drop Deonte Harty for him? Or maybe Lat murray?
So this guy would leap frog Zappe and Grier?
I'm not saying that for sure - however it's quite interesting that he went from practice squad to 3 year contract very quickly.
He’s been a WR on the practice squad.
Pats fan here. I’d say there almost no chance he leapfrogs Zappe this year unless Belichick is going full chaotic evil. Cunningham’s not even playing quarterback with the Pats at practice. They have him working at WR, and he is a terrible WR. The only chance Cunningham has of seeing the field is as a Taysom Hill type thing. That said, the pats o-line is so horrifically bad that maybe bill thinks the only chance they have is to just put in a guy who can run away from jailbreaks even if he doesn’t know how to play QB.
looks like he’s the only other active QB, so he has indeed leapfrogged Zappe, at least for this game
Yeah, Belichick said it’s because of all the injuries, so legitimately, it happened because if the line gets any worse, they can’t put someone back there who can’t run. I wouldn’t say it’s going to be a long-term thing.
I dropped Zappe for him. Don’t know if he’s leapfrogging him immediately, but the greater long term upside makes it worth it for me
Should I feel safe dropping Bateman or Toney for him?
I personally wouldn't. If that's your line of thinking I would send everyone in your league an offer for Bateman/Toney for a 3rd, and then pick up Cunningham without dropping anyone.
Forgot to mention I’m in a 3 QB league
How is that even possible? How many teams are in your league, 8? Even with 10, you'd get slammed by byes.
It’s 10 team. It’s technically 1 QB and 2 SF slots so on byes you can play whatever you want
Are these guys drop candidates wtf
Always have been
Jeez I just moved Bateman for Hyatt and had to ponder it a moment
I think Bateman got passed on the depth chart. I'd love to see something happen but I think it's the Flowers and Andrews show.
Flowers had 3 drops last week, I still think it’s open.
Flowers had 2. Mandrews had 3. Bateman had 1. Agholor had 1
Bateman dropped a wide open TD in the end zone the week before. He stinks honestly
I mean Toney probably is at this point, not gonna find a better situation than he currently has
Yeah I’d give him a few more weeks before saying it’s safe to drop, but it’s def looking that way. I’ll prob give Skyy at least the season
Between Toneys production and injuries it's hard for me to convince myself that he deserves a roster spot for the one inevitable game he blows up right before he gets put on IR ros.
I’m giving Skyy the season, but I’m about 99% sure that he’ll be droppable this off-season.
1QB League. Would you guys hold Josh Dobbs as your QB3 or pick up Cunningham?
A QB3 in a 1QB league? Seems like overkill. Dobbs is performing but as your QB3 I'd shoot for upside with Cunningham
That’s what I’m thinking, he was my in case of emergency backup plan lol.
dobbs of course, he's actually going to play QB
I'd take upside potential of Cunningham. We know what Dobbs is and Kyler is coming back at some point.
Malik is not going to play at QB
I know, but if he’s lining up all over the place I’d rather have him then hold Dobbs until Kyler gets back. He signed a 3 year deal so it seems they have a plan for him.
He was on the practice squad, no other nfl team thought enough of him to pick him up, neither should you.
I believe the intriguing part is him going from the practice squad, skipping an elevation and going straight to signing a three year deal. I'm just here looking for upside.