Getty Bleacher Report's Matt Holder argued Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions should target linebacker Zach Cunningham in NFL free agency.
The Detroit Lions addressed a lot of areas in NFL free agency this offseason. But one part of the roster where they have yet to make any additions is linebacker. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder argued the team should change that by signing veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham.
On April 7, Holder named Cunningham the one free agent still on the market who could help the Lions.
“While Alex Anzalone had a good season in 2023, the Lions could use another option to line up alongside Anzalone,” Holder wrote. “Derrick Barnes’ play was up and down for the majority of last year and Jack Campbell had a pedestrian rookie campaign.
“Adding Cunningham would give them another veteran option to compete for a starting spot during training camp, and Pro Football Focus is only projecting him to receive a one-year, $2.75 million contract. So, it’s worth the shot to bring him in and at least add some depth to the position group.”
Cunningham isn’t the tackling machine he once was, but he’s still a solid contributor. Last season, he posted 85 combined tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 4 pass defenses in 13 games with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After his rookie contract, Cunningham signed a 4-year, $58 million contract with the Houston Texans. He spent parts of five seasons with the Texans. Cunningham has also played for the Tennessee Titans and Eagles during his seven-year NFL career.
How LB Zach Cunningham Could Fit With the Lions
Cunningham began his career as a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. He posted 125 total tackles during his final season at Vanderbilt. Then in the NFL, Cunningham continued to make an impact as a tackler.
As a rookie, Cunningham had 90 combined tackles, including 5 tackles for loss. He then recorded three consecutive seasons with more than 100 tackles. Cunningham peaked in 2020 with a league-leading 164 combined tackles, including 106 solos.
The following season, Cunningham continued to record a lot of tackles when on the field. But he missed two games because of injuries, and the Texans waived him during the season for violating team rules twice.
The Titans claimed Cunningham off waivers. He ended the 2021 season with 93 total tackles. Then after playing only six games in 2022, Cunningham bounced back with the Eagles last season.
In Detroit, Cunningham could provide depth at inside linebacker, where the Lions haven’t added any free agents this offseason. Alex Anzalone has reached more than 100 combined tackles each of the past two seasons. But the Lions haven’t had another linebacker record 100 combined tackles since Jamie Collins in 2020.
Expectations for Jack Campbell Heading Into 2024
Whether the Lions are interested in a veteran linebacker such as Cunningham will greatly depend on how they view Jack Campbell going into 2024.
A first-round pick last season, Campbell didn’t make a huge impact on the stat sheet in 2023. But he was a solid contributor, making 12 starts and recording 95 combined tackles.
His playing time generally increased as the season went. Campbell lined up for 89% of the team’s defensive snaps in the NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.
There are both reasons for optimism and concern with Campbell’s development. SI.com’s All Lions’ Christian Booher argued Campbell experienced “an up and down season” as a rookie.
“The Iowa product will need to be much improved in the area of coverage,” Booher wrote. “While it wasn’t a particularly bad season for the rookie, and he did finish strong, early on was a struggle for the defender.”
Anzalone, Campbell and Derrick Barnes ended the season as Detroit’s starting linebackers. The Lions also have Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin for linebacker depth.
Therefore, the Lions don’t really have roster space for another veteran linebacker. But if the Lions lose faith in Campbell’s development or the other depth linebackers on the roster, Cunningham could be an intriguing target for Detroit.