6. ilb zach cunningham
The alternate tag is arguably a year late for Cunningham, as he was having the same prolific season in 2018 until he missed two games to injury. Those absences opened up Benardrick McKinney to make up ground and finish just two tackles shy of Cunningham’s team lead. In 2019, with the third-year pro having played every game to this point, he leads the team with 128 tackles, 26 more than McKinney. Cunningham also has a career-high 2.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and seven tackles for loss.
Who’s ahead: Colts LB Darius Leonard, Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower
Chances to make the team: It could happen if the Patriots are playing in the conference title game for the ninth straight year. Also, Leonard has been playing with injury throughout 2019 and might want to start his offseason early to recover and be fresh for the offseason program.