Before Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson won two MVPs and led the league in passing touchdowns, one former NFL general manager believed the dual-threat playmaker should make the positional move to wide receiver. With hindsight 20-20, it would have been a colossal mistake for Jackson to give up on his dreams of becoming a top-end NFL passer. However, that doesn’t mean every fast-twitch quarterback from the University of Louisville should wait to make a move.
On Thursday, per Ryan Mink of the Ravens, former backup signal-caller Malik Cunningham, who also played at Jackson’s alma mater Louisville, is now listed as a wide receiver on the team’s most updated roster. Cunningham’s movement solidifies Josh Johnson and rookie Devin Leary’s positioning behind Jackson on the depth chart.
Baltimore Ravens WR Malik Cunningham: Making Positional Change
Malik Cunningham, a former four-year starting QB for the Louisville Cardinals and undrafted signee in 2023, will transition to wide receiver for next season. Cunningham spent six seasons at Louisville, throwing 70 touchdowns against 29 picks. He also rushed for 50 touchdowns during his tenure with the ACC school.
Malik Cunningham is now officially listed as a WR (not QB) on the Ravens' roster, btw. He made that look like the right call today with several grabs.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) May 23, 2024
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Cunningham inked a contract with the New England Patriots before being released in late October. He signed onto the New England practice squad, but the Baltimore Ravens poached him in mid-December. He did not throw a pass during the regular season as a rookie.
Quarterbacks to Transition to Wide Receiver
Baltimore Ravens skill player Malik Cunningham is one of many NFL players who transitioned from signal-caller to wide receiver. The most famous cases at the NFL level remain Julian Edelman and Antwaan Randle-El. Edelman played three seasons at Kent State, throwing for 4,997 yards and 30 touchdowns against 31 picks. The New England Patriots selected him as a wideout in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. Edelman went on to win three Super Bowls, including earning Super Bowl LIII MVP honors. Meanwhile, Randle-El threw for 7,469 yards at Indiana before becoming a nine-year NFL vet.
However, not all former college QBs smoothly transition to another position. Former Heisman Trophy-winning QB Tim Tebow attempted to make an NFL comeback in 2021 as a tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars but did not survive preseason cuts. Another Heisman winner, Eric Crouch, struggled to make his mark in the NFL as a wideout.
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