SE BJ Cunningham of Michigan State ~ 6.2/225
~ Zimbio ~
"Cunningham has been a highly regarded prospect. He has size for the position is a very polished, well-rounded receiver. He has been durable and has started since arriving on campus, making him a third-round value and possibly ascending if he validates his speed during the postseason.
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Strengths: Cunningham is very savvy off the ball to get into his route, he uses his core strength to swat away hands and leans on corners as he works into his route. He has very quick feet to get corners off balance in-route, and the explosion to burst and then snap off routes quickly and gain separation.
He is a good zone-feel receiver who likes to sit in holes, catch the ball, and then work up field. He is a strong and physical player who makes his presence felt when blocking downfield.
Weaknesses: Cunningham can struggle to get open at times if he doesn't get open quickly with his footwork. He can be physical in routes, which at times can allow defensive backs to run in-phase with him."
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He is a good zone-feel receiver who likes to sit in holes, catch the ball, and then work up field. He is a strong and physical player who makes his presence felt when blocking downfield.
"A taller receiver who despite his weight, looks a bit leggy getting off the line and into his route, not quite as compact as his frame would lead you to believe. However does have a physical element to his game after the catch and when asked to go get the football. Doesn’t waste much motion dancing once he gets his hands on the football.
Gets his head snapped around quickly, puts his foot in the ground and likes to Stealing Sharp it right through the teeth of the defense. Displays strong hands and a powerful frame when asked to adjust and high point the football, looks like a power forward the way he comes down with the throw.
Now, isn’t real explosive off the line, a strider who takes a bit to get up to full speed. Isn’t going to consistently run by defenders vertically at the next level, but he has the ability to gain speed as he goes and can be tough to keep pace with if a corner routinely sits on his routes as he displays the strength to shrug off a defender and turn his route up the field.
Isn’t real fluid out of his breaks, routinely is forced to slow his feet in order to break round and rounds of his angles consistently. Even when asked to run less sharply breaking routes he routinely rolls into his slants in the three step game.
Displays a good feel underneath working the short passing game. Recognizing zone/man concepts quickly does a nice job finding soft spots, breaking tackles and creating after the catch. Works well for his quarterback consistently drifting toward better angles and creating after his initial route is stalled. Plucks the football well away from his frame over the middle and is a natural plucker.
However, will get lazy at times letting the ball into his frame, trapping it against his chest and occasionally will put the ball on the ground. Works a lot from the slot over the middle of the field and despite his physicality he’s not real sudden off the line and strikes me as the kind of athlete who doesn’t have the short area quickness needed to beat press on the outside in the NFL.
However, vs. off man he has the kind of balance/grace needed to set up his routes and get his big frame between the ball and defender.
Broke his foot in December of 2010 and needs to prove he’s clean medically.
Impression: Isn’t real dynamic of an athlete and it takes him a bit to build speed. However, he can box out defenders, go get the football and break tackles after the catch."
Gets his head snapped around quickly, puts his foot in the ground and likes to Stealing Sharp it right through the teeth of the defense. Displays strong hands and a powerful frame when asked to adjust and high point the football, looks like a power forward the way he comes down with the throw.
Now, isn’t real explosive off the line, a strider who takes a bit to get up to full speed. Isn’t going to consistently run by defenders vertically at the next level, but he has the ability to gain speed as he goes and can be tough to keep pace with if a corner routinely sits on his routes as he displays the strength to shrug off a defender and turn his route up the field.
Isn’t real fluid out of his breaks, routinely is forced to slow his feet in order to break round and rounds of his angles consistently. Even when asked to run less sharply breaking routes he routinely rolls into his slants in the three step game.
Displays a good feel underneath working the short passing game. Recognizing zone/man concepts quickly does a nice job finding soft spots, breaking tackles and creating after the catch. Works well for his quarterback consistently drifting toward better angles and creating after his initial route is stalled. Plucks the football well away from his frame over the middle and is a natural plucker.
However, will get lazy at times letting the ball into his frame, trapping it against his chest and occasionally will put the ball on the ground. Works a lot from the slot over the middle of the field and despite his physicality he’s not real sudden off the line and strikes me as the kind of athlete who doesn’t have the short area quickness needed to beat press on the outside in the NFL.
However, vs. off man he has the kind of balance/grace needed to set up his routes and get his big frame between the ball and defender.
Broke his foot in December of 2010 and needs to prove he’s clean medically.
Impression: Isn’t real dynamic of an athlete and it takes him a bit to build speed. However, he can box out defenders, go get the football and break tackles after the catch."
"Strengths: B.J. Cunningham was a highly productive starter for MSU. He has a nice frame that lends itself to being a physical target in the NFL. His physicality is evident after the catch and when the ball is in the air. He has a good feel for the game and it shows in his work underneath coverage. He works well out of the slot particularly in the vertical game. He’s a natural hands catcher that plucks the ball out of the air with tenacity. He’s a strong route runner that is hard to jam at the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Cunningham lacks the explosion, burst, and top end speed to be a top receiver in the draft. He lumbers at the line of scrimmage in press man situations as he lacks the short area quickness to get by the press. He isn’t going to run by many NFL CB’s as he takes a long time to get to full speed. While he’s a natural hands catcher, balls do get inside on him which usually results in the ball on the ground.
Bottom Line: Teams looking for a dynamic outside receiver should look elsewhere. Cunningham is a crafty, physical receiver that could be successful working the underneath routes from the slot. Cunningham is undervalued and over analyzed but the productivity is there. I like him more than most.
Draft Projection: B.J. Cunningham probably goes in the 4th-5th round but he is a 3rd rounder for me."
Weaknesses: Cunningham lacks the explosion, burst, and top end speed to be a top receiver in the draft. He lumbers at the line of scrimmage in press man situations as he lacks the short area quickness to get by the press. He isn’t going to run by many NFL CB’s as he takes a long time to get to full speed. While he’s a natural hands catcher, balls do get inside on him which usually results in the ball on the ground.
Bottom Line: Teams looking for a dynamic outside receiver should look elsewhere. Cunningham is a crafty, physical receiver that could be successful working the underneath routes from the slot. Cunningham is undervalued and over analyzed but the productivity is there. I like him more than most.
Draft Projection: B.J. Cunningham probably goes in the 4th-5th round but he is a 3rd rounder for me."
"Big, long-limbed, competitive possession receiver who shows field awareness, strength and hands to work the middle of the field and move the chains, although he is not sudden or explosive and speed is adequate at best.
Is immature and has some underachiever traits."
Is immature and has some underachiever traits."
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