Kirk Cousins Signs with the Falcons
Someone pick up the phone because I called it! Kirk Cousins, one of the big-name quarterbacks hitting free agency this offseason, didn’t last long out in the football wilds. There were reports that the Minnesota Vikings were still in on bringing Cousins back to the team (granted, not on another fully guaranteed deal), but Cousins was willing to test the free-agent waters. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Falcons are giving Kirk Cousins a “four-year, $180 million deal including $100 million guaranteed, per source”. That’s a whopping $45 million a year on average. Cousins wasn’t playing about his bread, and neither was his agent.
What are the Atlanta Falcons getting in return for signing one of the top (if not THE top) free agent quarterback to a big deal like this? Let’s get the ugly elephant out of the room. Cousins hasn’t been the greatest when it comes to the postseason. Just 1-3 in the postseason to date, it’s a bit of a blight on what looks like a promising career as one of the more underrated passers in the NFL. Cousins will need to improve on his 209 yards passing and one touchdown playoff average if he hopes to change that before it’s time to hang it up.
On the plus side, Cousins heads into the 2024 season as the eighth-best passer in terms of passer rating in the league at 98.2. Cousins also has a willingness to throw the ball as he’s eclipsed over 4,000 yards in each of his last three seasons as well as 29+ touchdowns, 2023 aside for obvious reasons. But how does this help the Falcons?
Fantasy Impact
The Falcons have ranked in the league’s bottom half in passing over the last two seasons under Desmond Ridder, which prompted the Falcons to move at the quarterback position. Finishing 31st in 2022 and 22nd in 2023 with everything that the Falcons have at their disposal is a no go. Enter Kirk Cousins, who can potentially give the Falcons a shot in the arm in terms of better performance under center. Under Cousins, the Vikings finished inside the top-15 in passing in his last two healthy seasons.
Fantasy managers and dynasty managers have been hoping for a fix to help out Kyle Pitts and Drake London, as both were top-10 draft picks who have underperformed because of the lack of talent at quarterback. Both Pitts and London will get huge boosts in fantasy value this offseason and could see their draft stock jump to new heights. Last season, Drake London was being drafted as the WR24 while Kyle Pitts was going at the TE7 spot. With a reliable quarterback in Kirk Cousins, fantasy managers should expect these players to trend up even before draft season gets underway. Drake London finished as the WR37 in fantasy football in 2023, averaging just 10.9 FPPG. Kyle Pitts finished as the TE12 giving fantasy managers just 8.1 FPPG.
Bijan Robinson should also benefit from Kirk Cousins in Atlanta as the Falcons look to continue using the stud running back as a passer-catcher out of the backfield. Robinson finished tied for targets (86) with Saints running back Alvin Kamara last season. Robinson accounted for 22.4% of the targets among the Falcons running backs, which will help keep him at a high draft capital this fantasy season once again. I can’t blame Fantasy’s managers for targeting Bijan Robinson. The hype was real with that one.
The Wrap Up
Kirk Cousins landing with the Falcons should be a dream come true for fantasy managers. We’ve seen what Cousins can do when he has talent around him. Justin Jefferson is about to get paid big-time in part of his performance with Cousins under center. We’ve also seen TJ Hockenson produce with Cousins even in an even shorter stint. Cousins may not bring home a ton of Super Bowl trophies, but he can help fantasy managers by giving some key players a lift. And let’s not sell Cousins too short either. Cousins has finished as the QB11 and QB8 in his last two healthy seasons so if you’re using the “QB Late” strategy, Cousins should be on your board.
Kirk Cousins landing with the Falcons is the move that fantasy football needed this year. I hope it works out like I have it in my head. And if it does, just remember where you saw it first.
