Patriots acquire offensive lineman Korey Cunningham from Cardinals
Dec 9, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Korey Cunningham (79) against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
Offensive lineman Korey Cunningham broke the news of his own trade on Wednesday, announcing via Instagram that he had been traded from the Arizona Cardinals to the New England Patriots.
And though Cunningham’s post announcing his move has since been deleted off his Instagram page (probably didn’t take long for Bill Belichick to make a call), it appears that the trade is certainly real, as the Patriots will send a sixth-round choice to Arizona in exchange for Cunningham, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
A 6-foot-6 lineman, the 24-year-old Cunningham played in six games for the Cardinals last season, and with all six of those appearances coming as a starting left tackle for Arizona. On the field for nearly 350 offensive snaps over that six-game sample, Cunningham allowed two sacks at left tackle and committed four penalties, according to PFF.
Given the fact that the Patriots traded a pick to acquire Cunningham, it’s hard to imagine Cunningham doing anything but making New England’s 53-man roster, and likely as the team’s swing tackle.
But Cunningham could also prove to be a worthwhile insurance policy for the Patriots should Isaiah Wynn, who is still working his way back to 100 percent from a conditioning and game-shape standpoint, fail to lock down New England’s starting left tackle gig.
The Patriots will wrap up their preseason Thursday night against the Giants.
