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Patriots undrafted rookie forcing team to keep him on roster

New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots undrafted rookie forcing team to keep him on 53-man roster

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 8/17/23

Undrafted rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham made the most out of his limited opportunity in Week 1 of the preseason. So much so that Boston Globe's Ben Volin suggests the Patriots will have to find a spot for him on the team's 53-man roster.

No arguing that point, here, for reasons both on and off the field.

As Volin accurately asserts, "There is no way the Patriots could stash Cunningham on the practice squad ... Another team surely would snag him."

Per NFL rules, "A practice squad player is eligible to negotiate and sign to any team's active roster at any time during the League Year."

Roster cuts are due Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET and New England, like the rest of the league, has its work cut out for it. The Patriots have a lot of tough decisions to make as they whittle their roster down to 53.

An already deep rookie class with 12 draft picks was made even more impressive with Cunningham's addition and has made the competition for a roster spot much more challenging.

He ran for 34 yards in his debut against Houston and threw a perfect pass on a rollout that was dropped by wide receiver Tre Nixon.

This was easily the best throw from Thursday’s game. Malik Cunningham rolled out of the pocket and threw a perfect pass on the run into the end zone to a receiver 35 yards away. pic.twitter.com/4IF781P90R
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) August 11, 2023

With so many positives to draw from his game film, 31 other teams would be lining up to sign Cunningham if New England erred and placed him on the practice squad.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton might already have plans on how to deploy him in similar formations as he did Taysom Hill, who he plucked away from Green Bay on waivers in 2017 before the Packers could place him on the practice squad, in New Orleans.

Cunningham could thrive in that role as a rookie. He scored on a nine-yard touchdown run against the Texans, and it's easy to see how his skills could translate to the regular season. Put him in a one-on-one matchup in space and New England should like its chances.

With lead back Rhamondre Stevenson as well as Ezekiel Elliott, the Patriots have the makings of a dominant running game. Cunningham would reinforce the team's dedication to the run while also keeping defenses off balance by being a threat as a passer.

He's by no means challenging Mac Jones' or Bailey Zappe's position on the team's depth chart but he could make the team reconsider third-string QB Trace McSorley. And if New England decides to keep four QBs on its roster when it cuts down to 53, that will cause a ripple effect. Perhaps a running back, tight end or wide receiver on the bubble gets clipped because New England fears losing Cunningham.

It's a good problem for the Patriots to have and a reminder that there are few certainties in the NFL. Who could have predicted a five-year quarterback at Louisville who went undrafted would have all but locked up a roster spot before Week 2 of the preseason? It's unlikely, but with Cunningham taking his opportunity to make an NFL roster and running with it, it's also undeniable.

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