Redskins’ Shanahan says Kirk Cousins could bring in first-round pick

There has been a lot of controversy around the Washington Redskins’ decision to bench quarterback Robert Griffin III for the remainder of the season to keep him healthy and to play back up Kirk Cousins instead. It was a move meant to ensure Griffin goes into the season healthy as they look towards bouncing back next year.

Head coach Mike Shanahan suggests it could pay off in another manner. If Cousins “lights it up” a team desperate for a quarterback could trade for him, giving the Redskins a first-round pick in the draft potentially.

“If he lights it up, hey, maybe we can bring a first-round draft choice back to this organization, and say hey, who are we gonna take in the first round,” Shanahan said, via Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post. “And I think by him playing and Robert not playing, it gives us a chance to have a few options for our organization that we wouldn’t normally have, and the safety of our quarterback going into the offseason is preserved. . . . His value can only go up. It cannot go down. It can only go up.”

NFL Media’s Albert Breer talked with a pro scouting director who suggested that wouldn’t happen.

“As my starter, no,” the pro director responded when asked by Breer. “I just don’t think he’s worth giving up a high-round pick for when, in the end, you’re gonna be looking to replace him.”

But an AFC personnel executive Breer talked to was more optimistic.

“It only takes one (team),” he said, “and these few games may have a strong influence on the answer.”