RB, Middle Tennessee State
Twitter handle: @BCnumerodos
Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 57th-ranked RB, #791 player overall, free-agent grade.
Scouts Inc: 62nd-ranked RB, rated as a free agent. Grade: 30, borderline draft prospect.
NFLDraftCountdown: 41st-ranked RB, late-round to free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2012: Second team all-Sun Belt Conference even though he only played in two conference games. Started all five games he played. 97 carries for 600 yards (6.2 ypc) with 11 TD. 9 receptions for 109 yards (12.1 ypc). Had two 200-yard games, 27-217 (and 5 TDs) vs. Georgia Tech and 36-230 (285 total yards) vs. Florida International in his last game of the season, when he tore a patellar tendon.
2011: Played in eight games, starting six. 115 carries for 501 yards (4.4 ypc) and 4 TD. 17 receptions for 187 yards (11.0 ypc) and a TD. Forced a fumble as a member of the punt team.
2010: Played in all 13 games, starting two. 78 carries for 355 yards (4.6 ypc) and 4 TDs. 16 receptions for 96 yards (6.0 ypc). Averaged 26.0 yards on 14 kickoff returns. Led special teams with 11 tackles.
2009: Played in 11 games. 46 carries for 173 yards (3.8 ypc) and 2 TDs. 5 receptions for 73 yards (14.6 ypc) with a 50-yard TD.
Major: business management.
Injuries:
2012: season-ending injury (torn patellar tendon) in October, missed the final seven games. Had a second procedure in March 2013 (performed by Dr. James Andrews) but was said to be well ahead of schedule on his rehab. Appeared to be participating in full in Rams 2013 OTAs.
2011: missed four games and most of a fifth due to a broken foot.
Pro day results: could only bench press at MTSU's pro day due to knee injury. Did 26 reps; RBs averaged 20 at the Combine. He held a private workout that was (reportedly) attended only by the Rams and the Titans. College bio says he was timed at 4.39 in high school. NFLDraftCountdown estimates him at 4.60, which was the average 40 time for RBs at the Combine.
Positives: Very physical one-cut runner who gets up to speed quickly and runs with excellent pad level. Instinctive with excellent feet. Attacks the defense and knows how to gain extra yards. Consistently gets his shoulder into defenders and breaks tackles. Strong interior runner, you're not going to arm-tackle him. Good cutback runner, reads the field well. Operates well in traffic. Does decent job getting small in the hole. Strong leg drive after initial contact. Excellent second gear when he gets into the open field. Excellent to elite acceleration. Can bounce plays outside. Ran a lot out of shotgun, which figures to be a staple in the Ram offense this season. Effective goal line runner for his size. Willing blocker. Never quits on a play. Clean as a whistle off the field.
Negatives: Doesn't have an elusive running style and doesn't show a lot of moves. Needs to be more secure with the ball when he does put on a move; exposes himself to fumble trouble. Could be prone to penalties because league is cracking down on RBs leading with their helmets. Needs to improve in blitz protection; misses too many assignments, looks uncertain or disinterested at times. Questionable hands as a receiver. Doesn't seem to adjust well to poor throws. Looks small, not thick in lower body. Not completely surprising he's been injured as much as he has.
Compares to: Darryl Richardson. Alfred Morris is also a popular comparison.
Fun Facts: Had Benny played all of 2012 at the statistical pace of his first five games, he would have rushed for 1,440 yards and 26 TD, very favorably comparable with high-drafted running backs Montee Ball (1,822 and 22), Le'Veon Bell (1,793 and 12) and Eddie Lacy (1,322 and 17). Marcus Lattimore had 662 yards and 11 TDs before he got hurt, with 45 carries more than Cunningham.
RamView: Cunningham's status bears monitoring when training camp opens (yes!) next Thursday. Coming off the patella injury, odds have seemed good that the Rams will "redshirt" him this year. He didn't have to sit out OTAs, though, and if he is able to go in camp, his quickness and tough running style fit wonderfully into what the Rams have going in the rest of their RB corps.
Chance of making team (season-long IR counts here): 55%.
Sources: NFLDraftScout, ESPN.com, Middle Tennessee State University athletics, IndianapolisColts.com, CBS Sports, The Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, Steeler Fury, YouTube
Photo: Middle Tennessee State University
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