When the Houston Texans walked away from the 2017 NFL Draft, it appeared that Deshaun Watson was going to be the last man standing when compared to the rest of his draftmates. Fast forward five years later, Zach Cunningham — who was drafted in the second round — is the lone Texan left with Watson’s career in Houston presumably over.
Cunningham has not only established himself as the only player remaining from the ’17 draft, but he has likely overtaken Watson as the Texans’ face of the franchise ahead of the 2021 season.
Despite being on the cusp of reaching the elite status among linebackers in the NFL, there is one aspect of Cunningham’s game he must improve on as he transitions into a 4-3 defense under Lovie Smith.