2017 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: First-Round Predictions for All 32 Picks
15. . Linebacker. Vanderbilt. Zach Cunningham. 11. player
The Saints are in desperate need of defense next season. With Drew Bree’s almost 40-years-old, the window is closing fast on this New Orleans team. The first solution to their problem is finding a linebacker to lead this team. That linebacker, Zach Cunningham.
At Vanderbilt, Cunningham solidified himself as one of the best defensive players to ever play for the school. This season, he finished with 125 tackles and 16.5 tackle for loss. As an inside linebacker with crazy fast reaction time, Cunningham can impact this Saints’ defense immediately.
Cunningham will be the first Vanderbilt player to be drafted in the first-round since 1984. It takes a lot for a Vandy player to be recognized, but the entire nation knows Cunningham.
He’s the best option for the Saints. They could look for other defensive linemen with their first-round pick, but with Cunningham still on the board, it’s nearly impossible to pass him up.