Move over, Operation Patience. Operation Trade Kirk Cousins is the new mission for the Washington Redskins.With Robert Griffin III out of the quarterback equation for the remainder of the season, as a result of being surprisingly shut down, it’s Kirk Cousins’ time to shine as the starting signal caller.
Cousins will get the opportunity to showcase his skills as the Redskins attempt to convince other NFL franchises that the former backup quarterback is worth trading for next offseason.
Here is a countdown of the top five teams that should be anxiously waiting to pull the trigger on a deal for Cousins in 2014.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Since the retirement of Brett Favre, the Vikings haven’t fared too well at the quarterback position.
There were initially high expectations for Christian Ponder, but durability concerns and poor performances have doomed his chances of emerging as the team’s franchise signal caller.
Minnesota acquired Josh Freeman prior to this year’s trading deadline but in his only start, he looked horrible as he completed only 20 of his 53 passing attempts in a forgettable outing against the New York Giants. Fellow backup Matt Cassel has been the Vikings’ best quarterback in 2013, but he’s obviously not a long-term solution.
Currently slated to have the fourth overall selection in the 2014 NFL draft, the Vikings could decide to take a quarterback with their top-five selection. However, if they choose to use the pick to address one of the other areas of need on the team, it would make sense for them to give the Redskins a call and inquire about Kirk Cousins.
4. Houston Texans
A team that’s underachieved even more than the Redskins in 2013, the Texans should certainly be in the hunt for a new starting quarterback in 2014.
I would have put the Texans higher on this list but with them currently penciled in as having the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL draft, they could easily target highly-touted Louisville sensation Teddy Bridgewater as the future signal caller.
However, if they decide to resist the temptation of drafting a quarterback in the first round, they could easily emerge as a candidate for Cousins’ services.
3. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are my dark horse selection to win the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes.
When he’s healthy, Jake Locker has displayed the ability to be a good NFL quarterback. Unfortunately, he’s had a tough time avoiding the injury bug. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick has done an adequate job replacing Locker in the starting lineup in 2013, but at this point in his career he’s no more than a solid reserve capable of holding down the fort for only a game or two.
If the Titans clean house and bring in another coaching staff that decides to move on from the injury-prone Locker in 2014, don’t be surprised if they emerge as a surprise potential destination for Cousins.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Moving on from the likes of Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne should be a high offseason priority for the Jaguars in 2014.
With their recent strong play all but eliminating their chances of securing one of the draft’s higher picks in 2014, the Jaguars could easily miss out on the best prospects at the quarterback position next May.
As a result of their new-found winning ways, the Jaguars could become one of the leading candidates to land Kirk Cousins during the offseason.
1. Cleveland Browns
In an ideal world, the Redskins will trade Cousins to the Browns next offseason.
For the Redskins, it’s perhaps their best chance to land a first round pick in return for Kirk’s services. Thanks to the controversial Trent Richardson trade, the Browns own the Indianapolis Colts’ first-rounder, which should end up as a pick in the 20s.
For Cleveland, they’d get an up-and-coming quarterback with some experience already under his belt and with weapons such as Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron already in the fold, the Browns could be poised to become one of the league’s most dangerous offenses in 2014 and beyond.
Source: Yahoo Sports