B.J.

Cunningham

All-conference last year after posting an impressive 79/1,306/12 line for the Spartans, Cunningham is a big-bodied underneath receiver willing to fight for the ball in traffic. A smart receiver who uses his body well, Cunningham fell to the sixth round because he lacks vertical speed and can’t stretch defenses. In a shallow Miami receiving corps, Cunningham should have a fair shot to make the final roster.

A sixth-round rookie out of Michigan State, Cunningham struggled with drops while falling to the back of Miami’s woeful receiving corps. It’s a bad label to get slapped with when speed and ability to separate are known issues. The practice squad is a possibility for Cunningham.

It’s not a great sign for Cunningham in perhaps the league’s most talent poor wide receiver corps. A star at Michigan State, Cunningham had a case of the dropsies throughout spring practice and apparently isn’t making up for it so far in training camp. Rishard Matthews isn’t making much noise, either.

Despite setting Michigan State’s receiving record, Cunningham dropped in the draft due to a 4.59 forty and questions about his ability to separate from NFL corners. If he follows his strong spring showing with a stellar training camp, Cunningham could climb a shallow depth chart to contribute in multi-wide sets.

Michigan State’s all-time leading receiver with 218 catches and 3,086 yards, Cunningham fell in the draft due to speed concerns after clocking a 4.59 forty at the Combine. A physical receiver at 6'1" and 213 pounds, Cunningham will try to earn a complementary role behind Brian Hartline and Davone Bess.

A previous report suggested Cunningham’s drops occurred in rookie camp before he improved measurably in OTAs. Behind Brian Hartline and Davone Bess, the Miami Herald believes Chad Ochocinco and Legedu Naanee are the favorites for the third and fourth roster spots, though neither can’t afford a letdown in camp. Roberto Wallace is the “most impressive” of the unproven entities vying for the fifth spot. Seventh-rounder Rishard Matthews will get a look on returns. Clyde Gates is “still thinking too much.”

Cunningham, a sixth-round pick last April by the Dolphins, spent the season on the Eagles’ practice squad. Carrier is an athletic “move” tight end prospect. These players will hope to last the offseason into training camp.

Cunningham was drafted by Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland along with Michael Egnew and Dion Sims via the package of picks acquired for Brandon Marshall a year ago. Egnew is a bust, and Cunningham has now been cut by two teams.

Cunningham is a former Jeff Ireland pick out of Michigan State. He was the 183rd overall selection in the 2012 draft, and has yet to record a catch in the NFL. Bair played college ball for Chip Kelly at Oregon.

Cunningham loses his roster spot to Brad Smith. The 2012 sixth-round pick of the Dolphins has no career catches in two appearances.