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NFL Trade Machine: The Hidden Value of Kirk Cousins

By Erik Lambert

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Most who have followed the Washington Redskins the past couple seasons know the quarterback position has been, in a word “fluid.”  For the majority of that time it has become a tug-of-war between highly-touted former 1st round pick Robert Griffin III and his primary backup Kirk Cousins.  Due to injuries and erratic play, Griffin has allowed Cousins numerous opportunities to start.  Despite glimpses of talent and potential, he has done enough to sway head coach Jay Gruden into giving him a legitimate shot.

As of this 2015 off-season, RGIII remains #1 on the depth chart.

That didn’t stop former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan from heaping praise on the 26-year old Cousins on what he is and can do as a quarterback.

"“Kirk’s one of the sharper guys I’ve been around. He processes things so fast. He lets it rip. He’s as tough as can be…he’ll hang in there and doesn’t flinch. Kirk has a chance to be a great quarterback some day.”"

Keep in mind Shanahan has worked with some pretty good players in his time including Pro Bowlers like Donovan McNabb and now Matt Ryan in Atlanta.  Safe to say he doesn’t just throw around compliments like that.  Which begs the question.  Should another team pursue an NFL trade for Cousins?  An interesting stat was presented recently that shows he might be worth it provided the price isn’t too high.

"“Kirk Cousins averaged nearly 100 more passing yards per game than Robert Griffin III last season. He threw more touchdown passes in six games (10) than Griffin and Colt McCoy combined to toss in 14 games (eight).”"

The one problem that has likely scared interested parties away is the interceptions.  In 407 career passing attempts, he has had 19 of them picked off.  That averages out to 4.7%, much worse than other turnover-prone starters like Mark Sanchez, Jay Cutler and Eli Manning.  However, there is something else to take into account.  In the 14 games he’s played in his career, Cousins has been sacked 16 times.  That’s not counting the number of hits and pressures he saw from defenses.  Since 2012, the Washington Redskins have ranked 13th, 19th and 31st in sacks allowed.

That is not good.  So one must ask if put under a decent coach and behind a stable offensive line, is it too much of a stretch to think Kirk Cousins could grow into something more?

Next: NFL Power Rankings: The Top 10 Offenses

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