Oakland Raiders: Possible First Round Draft Targets After Free Agency

Zach Cunningham (LB – Vanderbilt)

To be blunt, Oakland’s inside linebackers group is a mess. They haven’t gotten anywhere near the level of play they’ve needed – evidenced by the revolving door at the position, and ther willingness to let incumbent Malcolm Smith walk away without an offer. Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham could be a very solid fit within Oakland’s defense and somebody they should consider with the twenty-fourth pick.

The Raiders obviously have a very pressing need for linebackers with speed, power, and the ability to play the run and pass equally as well. It’s something they haven’t had in quite some time. But Cunningham could prove to be exactly what Oakland needs at that second level of their defense.

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Over his three-year career at Vanderbilt, Cunningham racked up 256 tackles – 36 of them for a loss. He also notched six sacks, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries. He’s fast enough to stick with running backs or tight ends in coverage, and stout enough to defend the run.

WalterFootball.com has him ranked as the Draft’s second best linebacker, behind only Reuben Foster of Alabama. Of Cunningham, they said:

"“He is a phenomenal run defender with excellent instincts. Cunningham is strong to take on offensive linemen, shed blocks, and then make tackles. He did well in pass coverage and showed the ability to be a three-down starter in the NFL. There has been buzz about Cunningham in scouting circles, and teams are giving him late first-round/early second-round grades.”"

In other words, he sounds like exactly what the Raiders need at that inside linebacker position.