Is There a Role for Korey Cunningham on Giants O-line?

The Giants need a swing tackle on the offensive line. Can Korey Cunningham be that guy?

Author:
Joe Najarian
Publish date:
May 26, 2023 4:41 PM EDT

In this story:

Korey Cunningham, Offensive Tackle

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 311 pounds
2022 Stats: GP 1/ GS 0. 8 Offensive Snaps Played.

Korey Cunningham is no stranger to the NFL, nor to the Giants, for that matter. Originally a seventh-round draft pick (254th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 out of Cincinnati, Cunningham has played in a handful of games ever since.

He appeared in six games with six starters for the Cardinals as a rookie. Then in 2019, he was traded to the New England Patriots for a sixth-round draft pick in 2020. He appeared in 12 games over two seasons with the Patriots.

New England released Cunningham on August 31, 2021; a week later, he was scooped up by the Giants, whose head coach, Joe Judge, had familiarity with Cunningham from their time together in New England.

Cunningham was elevated to the active roster on October 9 and October 16, 2021; three days after, he was signed to the active roster. Cunningham, who is going on his third season with the Giants (assuming he makes the final cut), has appeared in 13 games for New York, mostly as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams.

The Bearcats initially recruited Cunningham as a tight end. He redshirted his freshman year so he could convert to offensive line and went on to start 45 games, most of those at left tackle. That streak included 24 consecutive games started during his junior and senior seasons, his senior season ending with him being named 2nd-team All-American Athletic Conference.

Best Case Scenario

The Giants are already set at their tackle positions, with Andrew Thomas becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and Evan Neal looking to develop into something similar. As such, Cunningham likely won’t be a regular player in that capacity.

But they need a swing tackle, and that's where Cunningham hopes to make his mark. He's played most of his career snaps at left tackle (381) but also has 130 at right tackle.

The 28-year-old's primary competition appears to be Tyre Phillips (who was sidelined during OTA No. 3 due to an undisclosed ailment) and Matt Peart, the team's third-round draft pick in 2020. Cunningham and Peart possess similar size, but while the former is more physical, he also lacks athleticism.

Cunningham is 28 years old, but he does have experience and can also line up as a jumbo tight end. His best-case scenario would be to squeeze out the younger Peart for that swing tackle role.

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Worst Case Scenario

Although Cunningham is signed to a reserve/futures contract that carries no financial risk if he doesn't make the cut, there has to be some concern as to whether he's hit his ceiling at this point in his career.

Cunningham may never be starter material--again, he hasn't started a game since his rookie campaign. But if he can't hold off the younger competition he's facing this summer for that swing tackle role, it's fair to wonder how much further his NFL career might go.

What to Expect in 2023

For three years, the Giants have put Cunningham on a year-by-year basis, suggesting that they remain open to better options should one fall from a tree. But solid swing tackles with experience don't grow on trees, so with another strong camp, Cunningham should assure himself a spot on the practice squad if he doesn't beat out Phillips and Peart for a spot on the 53-man roster.