Chopping Block: Jermaine Cunningham

Drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft, Cunningham seemed like the future of the new revamped defense the Patriots lost after the 2007 season. Cunningham was even actually drafted higher than Brandon Spikes.

Today, Cunningham is on the chopping block though. In his rookie season he proved early on he could be useful when he beat out Tully Banta Cain who was coming off a 10 sack season in 2009. Cunningham even started 11 games as a rookie racking up 27 tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles. In 2011 Cunningham had a sophomore slump and recorded only one tackle on the season. This last season Cunningham impressed and had 24 tackles along with 2.5 sacks but as usual for the Patriots there is something that will go wrong out of nowhere. On November 26, 2012 Cunningham was suspended for violating drug policies.

Cunningham has shown flashes of what he can do especially when the Jets were at Gillette this previous season. On the last play of the game Cunningham grabs a hold of Sanchez along with Ninkovich and forces a fumble to end the game. The game where Belichick hugged Ninkovich (ringing bells?).

With the emergence of Justin Francis and the draft selection of Michael Buchanan along with the signing of CFL star Armond Armstead, I believe Cunningham has a shot but as you know, the Patriots could cut Cunningham due to the fact that he's paid more than all those players. This is tricky but Cunningham has beaten out vets before and I see him doing it again. Jermaine Cunningham will not just make this roster but will be apart of a defensive line rotation I regard now as a tier I, top 10 Defense. Cunningham is great with getting through the cracks and he could line up inside and have an impact this year (let's hope).

2013 Stat Predictor: 30 tackles, 3 FF, 4 sacks.

--Ian Kea
@Keachristophe