Zach Cunningham
LB, Vanderbilt · 2017 NFL Draft, Round 2, pick #57 (HOU)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being undervalued: age, position. Details below.
- Age
22 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.1% of the time (2,011 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
LB (LB group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 56.8% of the time (701 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #53 (#4 at his position), close to where he went (#57). The whole market, not just his team, missed on him.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Vanderbilt: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.67 40-yard dash at 234 lbs: faster than 42% of LBs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.5% of the time (2,288 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 106 of ~149 possible regular-season games from 2017 through 2025 (~71%).
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 106 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 5 |
| Pro Bowls | 0 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 36 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 36.0 |
| Defense | 453 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2025 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Age 22 | 56.1% n=2,011 | |
| Position LB | 56.8% n=701 | |
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Middle 50% | 50.5% n=2,288 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 234 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.67 s |
| Bench press | 15 reps |
| Vertical | 35" |
| Broad jump | 125" |
| 3-cone | 7.03 s |
| Shuttle | 4.29 s |
| Age at draft | 22 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #53 overall (#4 LB) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 54 | Raekwon McMillan | redraft #110 |
| 55 | Dalvin Tomlinson | redraft #23 |
| 56 | Obi Melifonwu | redraft #199 |
| 58 | Ethan Pocic | redraft #52 |
| 59 | Tanoh Kpassagnon | redraft #91 |
| 60 | Chidobe Awuzie | redraft #63 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.