Malik Cunningham Over Anthony Richardson and Will Levis?

As outlandish as it may sound to suggest Louisville’s Malik Cunningham is a better quarterback (QB) prospect than Anthony Richardson or Will Levis, that’s what the analytics and game film indicate.

As someone who worked in the Pro Scouting Department at the New York Jets on Hall of Fame Coach Bill Parcells’ staff, I have a first-round grade on Cunningham after completing a 12-game study spanning two seasons.

So why aren’t we hearing more about Cunningham?

What do the analytics say?

The Competition Factor states:

“Our proprietary algorithm evaluates production each game and accounts for the strength of the opponent to enable objective player comparisons. It is completely unbiased and has proven to be a good predictor of NFL potential. Our analytic provides a way to objectively quantify a player’s entire body of work that compliments film study. QB production ratings are adjusted based on the strength of each opposing pass defense.

Our overall rating places Malik Cunningham as our 9th QB and 3rd in our dual threat overall metric. Compared with the big name QBs, our metric has Hooker, Stroud, and Young in a class at the top, then Cunningham in a second class, followed by Levis and Richardson in a third class. Our dual threat rating likes Hooker at the top, followed by Cunningham, then Stroud, Young, Richardson, and finally Levis. Stroud and Young stand alone atop our pass yards per game rating. Hooker is solid, but Levis, Richardson, and Cunningham don’t rate well in pass yards. However, in rush yards per game, Cunningham stands out at 90.4. Hooker (84.8) and Richardson (77.8) follow, but the others all rate in the 50s. Cunningham also scores similarly to Stroud, Young, and Hooker in our yards per attempt, yards per completion, TD, and INT ratings, making him a solid NFL prospect.“

The following table represents the Competition Factor position relevant metrics for each quarterback and how they stack up to one another.”

What does the game film say?

He’s inconsistent as a passer, but he’s the most dynamic runner in this draft.

Not just at quarterback, I mean in this entire draft class.

He’s every bit the runner Chicago’s Justin Fields or Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson is.

“He eliminates angles almost instantly,” the television announcer said in the Louisville vs. Boston College game watching Cunningham run.

He also makes up for passing inconsistencies by not often throwing dangerous passes.

Being an elite runner combined with protecting the ball is going to serve him well in the NFL.

That’s more than the analytics or game film can say for Richardson or Levis.

#3 Malik Cunningham 6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

First Round Mock Big Board: No. 21

Projected by: 0.3% (down from 0.4% on January 30) of the NFL Draft Community as a first-round pick as of April 4, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous nine games evaluated: (2021): Syracuse, FSU, and Ole Miss (2022): FSU, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Pitt, James Madison, and Clemson

Previous articles:

Malik Cunningham Is The Biggest Wildcard In The Draft

Is Malik Cunningham Lamar Jackson 2.0?

The First Round QB Nobody is Talking About Malik Cunningham

Additional 2022 game film used for this evaluation: Boston College, UCF, and USF

2021 stats: 209/337 (62.0%) 2,941 yards (8.7 avg.), 19 TD, 6 INT., 20 sacks

2022 stats: 136/218 (62.4%) 1,568 yards (7.2 avg.), 8 TD, 5 INT., 19 sacks

Note: Played in 56/62 games at Louisville

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent tough dual threat who sees the field well and has an NFL arm. Needs rhythm play-calling system to offset inconsistencies caused by getting out of rhythm on his own. Good ball handling skills. Inconsistent progressions, release time and placement, but then shows he can do it in blocks of game film. Streak passer when relaxed and not pressing. Can evade pressure. Throws to all three route-levels (short, intermediate and deep). Sometimes struggles not setting feet. Ball can sail high. Knack for throwing where only receivers have a chance. Touch or heat passer. Can make defenders miss running and has that second-gear.

Final words

Richardson is 20 years old, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are 21, Levis is 23, Cunningham is 24, and Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is 25.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.