One stat that proves Zach Cunningham is the NFL's best run-stopping linebacker
Christmas came early for the Tennessee Titans last season. After being waived by the Houston Texans on Dec. 8, 2021, linebacker Zach Cunningham was claimed by the Titans just one day later. Though the AFC South is aware of his impact in the middle of a defense, there is one statistic that proves Cunningham is […]
Christmas came early for the Tennessee Titans last season. After being waived by the Houston Texans on Dec. 8, 2021, linebacker Zach Cunningham was claimed by the Titans just one day later. Though the AFC South is aware of his impact in the middle of a defense, there is one statistic that proves Cunningham is the NFL’s most underrated run stopper.
Prior to 2021, Cunningham recorded over 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons. The former Vanderbilt Commodore even led the NFL in tackles in 2020, but flew under the radar due to his team’s lack of success.
What makes Cunningham vastly underrated is his ability to win one-on-one battles with ball carriers in the hole. He has ranked first among linebackers in run stop win rate in EVERY season from 2017-2021, per Next Gen Stats.
The best run-stopping linebacker in the NFL for the last four seasons. And nobody talks about it, though that might change now that he plays for a contender.
Titans fans witnessed the immediate impact he had after his arrival. Reunited with Mike Vrabel, who was his defensive coordinator in Houston in 2017, Cunningham was a force during his four games with the Titans in 2021, recording 26 solo stops and three TFLs.
Lauded for his instinctual play and impressive range in the run game, Cunningham made a habit out of meeting ball carriers at the line of scrimmage.
In fact, Sports Info Solutions reports that Cunningham tied Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt for the NFL’s lowest average tackle depth (1.2 yards) in run defense amongst qualifying linebackers (42+ solo tackles) in 2021.
It’s rare for an inside linebacker to be the best player on his team, but that’s what Cunningham was in Houston for a handful of years. It’s hard to blame him for essentially forcing his way out in order to reunite with Vrabel in the same city he played his college ball.
Titans fans should be excited about Cunningham’s prospects for the 2022 season. If he was doing all of that damage on a defense with a talent deficit, his level of play should rise playing alongside Titans linebackers Harold Landry, Bud Dupree, and David Long Jr.
For the first time in what has felt like an eternity, the Titans struck gold on the waiver wire. With a full offseason under his belt, the sky is the limit for Cunningham in defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s system, who also worked with him in Houston. Entering his sixth season in the NFL, there is no reason why Cunningham can’t make the Pro Bowl in 2022.
Featured image via Steve Roberts – USA TODAY Sports
