2024 NFL Free Agency: Best Landing Spots For QB Kirk Cousins

With four consecutive years of at least 17 points per game, Kirk Cousins has quietly been among the fantasy football industry’s most reliable quarterbacks. He scored 18.5 points on average over that period. Before rupturing his Achilles tendon in the previous season, Cousins was expected to rank among the top eight fantasy field generals.

2024 NFL Free Agency: Best Landing Spots For QB Kirk Cousins

As he approaches his 36th season, Cousins should have no trouble finding a free agency (if his Achilles rehab goes as planned). He will be available to any team willing to pay for his services, as he is not eligible to be franchised by the Minnesota Vikings either. At Cousins’s level, given the market value for a field general, he might get around $40 million per season.

Vikings 

The Vikings will need to make some tough decisions with little leeway even with the salary cap that has been altered for the next season. Minnesota has around $37 million in cap space for 2024, according to Over the Cap, but the Vikings have a lot on their plate and little room for maneuver with both Cousins and pass rusher Danielle Hunter about to enter free agency with Justin Jefferson maybe searching for a new contract as well.

The NFL Scouting Combine is essentially the unofficial start of NFL free agency, even if it doesn’t officially start until next week. Head coach of the Indianapolis Vikings, Kevin O’Connell, hinted last week that Cousins’ exit was probably imminent with Rich Eisen.

The majority of fantasy managers concur that Cousins’ greatest fantasy landing point is if he stays with the Vikings. Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Justin Jefferson are all at his disposal, and he is familiar with the playbook in addition to possessing some incredible passing ability. Given that his coach, Kevin O’Connell, like throwing the ball, Cousins might rank among the top eight fantasy field generals in 2024.

Commanders 

Reconciling with Cousins would have been practically unimaginable when he originally departed Washington in 2018. The team has been refusing to pay his asking price for a long-term contract for years. But now that the Commanders are owned by a new company, with a new coach, and a new front office led by general manager Adam Peters—who was employed by the San Francisco 49ers when Kyle Shanahan attempted to lure Cousins to the Bay Area—things are changed.

Though just three teams have more money to spend, it’s feasible that incoming coach Dan Quinn will push for a quicker remedy. Washington should have a clear chance at a top quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Cousins, Terry would still be his top wideout.

But Washington also has another option available to them: a rookie. Considering that the Commanders are seated with the draft’s second overall choice. They may now acquire additional draft cash and give themselves an opportunity to solve several needs by signing Cousins and trading out of the No. 2 slot. In this scenario, the Vikings might be added to the list of clubs eager to add a quarterback, thus Washington may receive a decent trade package in exchange for that choice.

Patriots 

After all, the Patriots need to address the quarterback problem and have a ton of salary room ($91 million, according Over the salary). Moreover, even if the Commanders hold the second overall pick and New England is seated third, they will probably have to choose between trading out of position three after addressing quarterback in free agency, selecting QB3 in the draft, or selecting the finest non-quarterback prospect available.

Could Cousins be that QB?

You can see how this makes sense for the Patriots, and maybe even a little bit more for New England than for the Commanders. After acquiring Cousins via free agency, the club may choose their top non-QB (like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or their top tackle prospect) at the third pick, and all of a sudden their offensive will be very different from what it was a season ago. Alternatively, they may exchange the selection and continue work on the offense surrounding Cousins, knowing that they have the quarterback position covered for the time being.

Falcons 

Like most of the teams on this list, the Falcons will probably seek Justin Fields, but Cousins would be a potent pivot. Having used first-round selections on Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson over the previous three years, Atlanta possesses offensive promise. Zac Robinson, the new offensive coordinator, has been working with Sean McVay since 2019. Cousins would continue to be a low-end starter in fantasy football.

Atlanta is maybe the best club ready to give the Vikings a serious run for their money. After considering a sensational Deshaun Watson deal two years ago, the Falcons are fully committed to improving the quarterback position, which has essentially remained empty since Matt Ryan’s last season.

Kyle Smith, the assistant general manager, was a Washington scout in 2012 when Kirk Cousins was selected. Zac Robinson, the offensive coordinator for new coach Raheem Morris, assisted in elevating Matthew Stafford to a new level in Los Angeles. The Falcons, who play in the wide-open NFC South, have a competitive squad that includes a solid line, rising weapons like Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts, and an underappreciated defense.

Is it difficult to see Cousins waving purple goodbye with joy? Indeed. However, because we’ve seen this dance before, let’s take a chance: We project Cousins will ink a $135 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons finally have a real captain for their playoff-hungry attack, he receives top-seven quarterback salary ($45 million annually), and the Vikings wish him well as they begin their future reconstruction.

 

 

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