NFL Notes: Kirk Cousins, 49ers, Jets

Kirk Cousins

Tom Pelissero of NFL.com polled five NFL personnel executives whose teams played the Redskins last season, and all of them consider Redskins QB Kirk Cousins a top-15 NFL quarterback with three of them him near or in the top ten.

“He’s really accurate, has really good timing, touch. He’s not a great athlete. He’s not the biggest,” a high-ranking NFC executive tells Pelissero. “[Former Redskins coach Mike Shanahan] thought he was Drew Brees. Whether he is or not, I don’t know — but similar attributes. Not the best arm, obviously not as big as you want, but really good rhythm, touch, timing within their offense. Has made some bonehead mistakes. Didn’t make as many last year. But he’s a good point guard, knows where to go with it.

“I never was sold on the guy too much, and then last year watching him — I know the money’s just getting ridiculous, but that’s what guys are getting.“

49ers

Joel Corry of CBS Sports says he would be “surprised” if Kirk Cousins wasn’t playing for the 49ers in 2018 now that the Redskins failed to get a long-term deal in place before Monday’s deadline. Although, he could also see the Rams making a run at Cousins too.

“I will be surprised if Cousins isn’t the 49ers starting quarterback in 2018,” Corry said, via Fourthandnine.co. “If he has another good year, there could be competition from several teams provided he is an unrestricted free agent. A division rival could be the biggest threat. Expect Sean McVay to push for the Rams to make a run at Cousins if Jared Goff doesn’t show significant progress at quarterback this season.”

Corry added that San Francisco will have plenty of cap space to work with next year.

“The 49ers could have the most cap space in the NFL next March with over $100 million at their disposal,” Corry said. “That’s plenty of cap room to go on a major spending spree during free agency. Paraag Marathe and Brian Hampton are extremely adept in managing the salary cap.”

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN writes that the Redskins’ failure to sign QB Kirk Cousins to a long-term extension before Monday’s deadline could end up being a good thing for the Jets next year.
• New York should have around $80 million of available cap space to work with next year and enough flexibility to make an aggressive run at Cousins if he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
• However, Cimini admits that offering big money to a veteran quarterback would be a surprise, considering that they’re rebuilding, but it’s at least a possibility.
• The Jets could end up being better positioned to target a quarterback in next year’s draft, depending on what happens with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty.