The New England Patriots paid a hefty price to get Malik Cunningham on their roster as an undrafted free agent, and it’s at least worth wondering if the Louisville product will stay at quarterback.

New England guaranteed Cunningham $200,000 — a record sum for a Patriots undrafted free agent — after the draft. Part of the reason why the Patriots gave him so much guaranteed money is that they only had four roster spots to offer undrafted free agents, so the money that usually gets spread out gets more concentrated.

The 6-foot, 200-pound QB has a fun skill set with a 4.53-second 40-yard dash and undeniable talent with the ball in his hand as a ball carrier, though. Over the last two years, PFF charted Cunningham with 25 big-time throws and 22 turnover-worthy plays.

Cunningham said he would be willing to change positions in the NFL, an NFC executive told NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

"I think he's a receiver. And the kid said he would do that through the process," the NFC executive told Pelissero. "Stud of a kid. I just don't see quarterback out of him."

Cunningham is a good enough passer for the Patriots to start him off at quarterback, a league source told A to Z Sports. New England could always test out his versatility later.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley was another undersized, athletic quarterback who went undrafted in 2020 and has gone on to become Lamar Jackson’s backup. Huntley was a better passer and less accomplished rusher at Utah, but it’s at least worth seeing if Cunningham can play quarterback before moving him around given the value of the position and uncertainty of a switch.

The Patriots converted Julian Edelman from quarterback to wide receiver after drafting him out of Kent State in 2009. Edelman turned into one of the NFL’s best all-time playoff receivers. Another former Patriots wideout, Jakobi Meyers, moved from quarterback to wide receiver in college and signed a high-priced deal with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason in free agency. New England currently has a quarterback convert on their roster at wide receiver in Lynn Bowden, as well.

Cunningham could always stick at quarterback and still play a non-traditional role in the mold of Taysom Hill. Former Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been used as a QB sneak specialist in his career. Given the success Jalen Hurts had on QB sneaks with the Philadelphia Eagles this season, using Cunningham in that role might be worth the $200,000 guarantee.

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