Patriots undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham has become one of the more intriguing players in the 2023 preseason, given his unexpected contributions at quarterback. Could be become a Taysom Hill-type weapon in Bill O’Brien’s offense?
After an exhibition finale during which Cunningham had a very limited role (two pass attempts, one rush, one catch), he was asked whether he has a preferred position.
“No,” he said. “I’m a football player. Whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do it. . . . I feel like I did good over those three gams. A lot to learn from, a lot to take on the chin, a lot of things I did good, a lot more things I need to work on as a quarterback or receiver, wherever they put me at.”
It seems to be a given that he’ll make the 53-man roster, given his versatility and his performance. He’s still taking nothing for granted.
“I mean there’s still a lot of stuff that I still need to work on,” Cunningham said. “But I feel like I put enough good stuff on film to let the coaches handle [that] and make a decision. Not my decision. I can only control what I control, and I’ll just keep my head down and keep working.”
The work includes continuing to adjust to the NFL game.
"[C]ollege and the NFL is so much more different,” Cunningham said. “I would say from a weight room perspective, definitely different. A lot more meetings in the league. A lot more spending time at the stadium trying to get your body right. Really, I really got into a routine in college. I mean, when you’re the best athlete on the field in college, there’s not much you can really do. But when you’re in the league, everybody around you [are] definitely good players and there’s stuff to learn from.”
Cunningham seems to be learning and developing quickly. He could become an undrafted success story for a Patriots team that could definitely use all the help it can get as it competes in a much more competitive AFC East.
