What is Kirk Cousins worth?

[Zazzaro703]

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Cousins Will Likely be Worth a Number One in Trade

With a little more chance to show his stuff to other NFL teams, I think Kirk Cousins will likely be worth a number one draft pick in trade; and I can't see us keeping a QB that valuable as a backup for long.


I see more physical talent in Kirk than in Matt Schaub who was well worth the second round pick Houston gave Atlanta in trade. Schaub is a very accurate passer but he has below average mobility. He's more of a pocket passer whose performance relies on an O-line that can protect well.


Because of Schaub's limitations, Houston is running a modified Shanahan passing game at about 75% of its potential. Cousins is a better fit for Basic Shanahan.


I don't foresee NFL offenses moving toward super-athletic QBs like RG3 because they are too rare. Nor, do I foresee them sticking with the limited athletes, the pocket passers like Brady or Manning. With parity, the O-line talent to protect them is spread thin. So, my bet is on the Tweener QBs like Cousins. The high schools and colleges are producing more of them, and they are better prepared to move up to the next level than ever before.


Cousins has above average mobility and throws very well on the move. This allows the OC to roll him to either side which compensates for an O-line that doesn't pass protect well. Arm strength, velocity, accuracy on deep and mid-range throws all seem to be at least above average. He has a quick release, but he's somewhat inconsistent on short throws. That's probably due to footwork problems under pressure which can be corrected.


In the TV booth from Cleveland, Mike Martz did a first-rate job of analysis on Kirk's game. The negatives he mentioned were mostly due to lack of experience.

For these exact reasons is why i keep Cousins at least 3 seasons. Why should we trade away our solid backup QB now just to most likely downgrade a position of absolute need as we have seen the last 20 years. Around season 4 is when i would start looking to trade Kirk Cousins if the value is still there plus the price will be greater if he proves to really be a solid QB. I feel awful for Kirk, the guy is a winner too and im sure sitting on the bench must be killing him inside especially knowing the guy he is behind will never be on the bench unless he has an injury.

[brunell]

Alex Smith will be available as well.

If two teams are enamored with Smith, I could see the one that loses out offering a 2nd+ for Cousins.

They're similar, except:
•*While both are athletic, I give Smith the edge there
• Cousins is younger, although Smith debuted at a very young age and is thus much more experienced (he's played in every offense imaginable! lol)
•*What you save in $$ with Cousins, you pay in draft picks

[Binton]

For these exact reasons is why i keep Cousins at least 3 seasons. Why should we trade away our solid backup QB now just to most likely downgrade a position of absolute need as we have seen the last 20 years. Around season 4 is when i would start looking to trade Kirk Cousins if the value is still there plus the price will be greater if he proves to really be a solid QB. I feel awful for Kirk, the guy is a winner too and im sure sitting on the bench must be killing him inside especially knowing the guy he is behind will never be on the bench unless he has an injury.

So you want to trade him in the contract year? That decreases his value

[s0crates]

Why do you think Cousins small sample size would cause him to leapfrog guess Tannehill and Weeden in a re-draft?

I trust the evidence of my senses. I believe what I see with my own eyes. Cousins looks like a better prospect than Weeden and Tannehill, and I think anybody who has watched all three play this season will agree.

[AzSkinsFan63]

Maybe a friggin playoff spot!...

[SonOfWashington]

Unless the deal is REALLY sweet, I'd like us to keep him. It could have been Grossman out there yesterday, and I can't imagine us winning in that scenario.

[Destino]

Trading cousins now would be a mistake. Griffin hasn't shown that he can stay on the field long term and a backup that can win games, not simply manage, them may prove necessary. We don't know, this is after all still year one. Plus I can see the Seahawks moving Flynn now that Wilson has cemented himself as the starter. They will likely opt to trade Flynn rather than pay him.

[terpskins10]

Hey guys, just wanna throw this out there:

Kirk Cousins now has more wins as a starter than John Beck.

[Woofer]

After yesterday, he's worth keeping.

Period.

---------- Post added December-17th-2012 at 05:55 PM ----------

Addendum
A team is only as good as its backups. Kirk showed yesterday that he is good enough to be a starter, so having him as a back up on our team is worth a LOT. There is no team in the NFL that can afford to have a "not good" back up at the QB position.

[Leonard Washington]

I'm not really sure what you mean by this. Every QB is a product of their system to a degree. We are fortunate enough to have terrific coaches who have taken advantage of each of our QBs skillsets and put gameplans in place to maxmimize their potential. I don't see how that drives value of either down.

I agree with your comment. To clarify, his performance against the Browns doesn't necessarily mean that Cousin's is uniquely talented. It is a credit to Cousin's ability to work and stay prepared.

[zoony]

I wouldn't trade him for a first right now. QBs who have shown they can perform in this league are VERY rare. Look at what teams give up to draft guys that have no NFL game tape whatsoever, I.e. Sanchez.

The way RGIII plays, he's going to need a backup QB like Kirk. I think we should keep him for the remainder of his rookie contract and see how RGIII s career plays out

It is clear to me that RGIII has a real chance to be the best QB of all time. But it's also clear to me that he has the potential to become a 26 year old QB who has suffered 4+ concussions and a couple of rebuilt knees. When you have a player like Cousins backing him up you don't trade him for a simple first round pick. What are you going to do with that pick that can win you a game on the road in December when your best player goes down? Nothing, most likely. That's what.

[Zazzaro703]

So you want to trade him in the contract year? That decreases his value

I don't want to trade him at all and wouldn't even consider it until season 4 is all I was saying.

---------- Post added December-17th-2012 at 08:24 PM ----------

I wouldn't trade him for a first right now. QBs who have shown they can perform in this league are VERY rare. Look at what teams give up to draft guys that have no NFL game tape whatsoever, I.e. Sanchez.

The way RGIII plays, he's going to need a backup QB like Kirk. I think we should keep him for the remainder of his rookie contract and see how RGIII s career plays out

It is clear to me that RGIII has a real chance to be the best QB of all time. But it's also clear to me that he has the potential to become a 26 year old QB who has suffered 4+ concussions and a couple of rebuilt knees. When you have a player like Cousins backing him up you don't trade him for a simple first round pick. What are you going to do with that pick that can win you a game on the road in December when your best player goes down? Nothing, most likely. That's what.

Exactly, not being forced to play Robert through injury or rush him back from injury will only extend his career one would assume.

[skinsmarydu]

I don't want to trade him at all and wouldn't even consider it until season 4 is all I was saying.

Tryin not to sound like an idiot, but I agree. He won us 2 games. Two games WE REALLY HAD TO HAVE! Just to prove we're legit. I'm with ya...look at his college stats...kid will be great, in his own time. Right now, he's apparently concentrating on what he has to do, and he's gonna help us!!!
HTTR!!

[s0crates]

Agree with what zoony said. I liked this part.

What are you going to do with that pick that can win you a game on the road in December when your best player goes down? Nothing, most likely. That's what.

Wish I had said it.

[Oldfan]

Parity rules in the NFL. It looks like the Skins have hauled themselves up to being a mediocre team again. We aren't good enough to have two good QBs on our roster. If Kirk shows enough to bring a number one pick, we should make the trade and use the pick to find a starter at another position.

Kirk was a BPA pick. A trade is one of the options when the BPA strategy works and you have a surplus at one position. Actually, it's the only option if the BPA is a QB. At other positions, you can find a way to scheme to play both. That's not possible at the QB position.


Rex is decent backup quality.