4. LB Zach Cunningham
Zach Cunningham is not just a good run defender; he’s an elite one and perhaps the best in the NFL.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cunningham leads the NFL in run stops (44) and run-stop rate (14.3%). Though not particularly proficient as a coverage linebacker, his sure-tackling, knack for finding the ball and fiery playing style make for a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
His teammate and fellow snub, safety Justin Reid, thinks differently. He sees an All-Pro player, either this year or next year.
“If he’s not an All Pro this year, he will be next year,” Reid said after the Texans beat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. “You can put that in the paper.”
Cunningham also leads the AFC in tackles with 128, which is fifth-best in the entire NFL. His 89 solo tackles rank second in the league.
Luckily, there’s hope for Cunningham to visit Orlando. The NFL named him as a Pro Bowl alternate behind Darius Leonard and D’Onta Hightower. Of course, he could follow the route of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee in 2016: make All-Pro and then get named as an injury replacement thereafter.