QB Malik Cunningham wants to follow in footsteps of Patriots legend

New England Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham is hoping to follow in the footsteps of a beloved franchise figure this summer. 

It was first noted in late May that Cunningham, an undrafted prospect who most recently featured at quarterback with the Louisville Cardinals, was impressing as a receiver during organized team activities (OTAs). Cunningham explained Monday that one reason he signed with the Patriots earlier this spring was that offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien helped convince the first-year pro he could become the club's next Julian Edelman. 

"Just the culture and the Julian Edelman stories—the guys that played quarterback in college and moved over to receiver," Cunningham said, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive. "Seeing those guys do it and I know—not that I’m more athletic than those guys but we’re all on the same level, so I feel like I can do it." 

Daniels mentioned that O’Brien was serving as New England's quarterback's coach when the club spent a seventh-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft to acquire Edelman, who originally entered the league as a signal-caller from the Kent State Golden Flashes. Edelman ultimately evolved into one of Tom Brady's favorite targets and a pass-catcher who became a three-time Super Bowl champion and who earned Most Valuable Player honors for Super Bowl LIII. 

"I’ve heard it once a week—at least," Cunningham said about mentions of Edelman. "Just a guy like him, he played quarterback in college, of course, and the success he had at receiver, it just goes to show it can be done." 

Cunningham acknowledged Monday he ran his first real receiver route during OTAs and likely will remain a work in progress through his first pro season. 

"It’s definitely different, but the quarterback is still in me so it’s kind of learning as we go," he added. "Just trying to get better each and every day, so that’s been the task. Trying to focus on the details at the receiver standpoint—alignment, assignment and knowing what to do." 

Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams wrote Monday that Cunningham "has some work to do even to make the practice squad roster" ahead of New England's regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10. He could prove to be a low-cost investment for the future if both he and New England show patience over the next several months.