NFL Free Agency: 5 teams that should look at Kirk Cousins

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks off the field in front of Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton (71) after their NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. The Packers won 35-18. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 13, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (left) and new head coach Hue Jackson talk during a press conference at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

No 5. Cleveland Browns

Signing the unproven Cousins long-term with a contract padded with plenty of guaranteed money sounds like something the past Cleveland Browns‘ regime would easily do. This Browns team, probably not.

Just a couple of months ago, the Browns started what seemed like their craziest plan yet to turn the team into a contender. After cleaning their house of Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer, the Browns decided to trust the team to a lawyer and a baseball executive. As soon as everyone believed that the Browns had finally descended into madness, the team signed one of the best free agent coaches on the market- Hue Jackson.

With the addition of Hue Jackson, this Browns team is promising to be the team.

As a result, despite the gaping hole at quarterback that the team has due to Johnny Manziel’s downward spiral, it seems unlike for the Browns to sign Cousins for a number of reasons.

The main reason that the Browns might pass on Cousins is that the team does not have any real answer on Cousins ability to be a long-term solution. There are reports that Cousins wants to be signed by a team for more than just a couple of seasons. The issue with signing Cousins for that duration is that he will want to be paid like a top-tier passer every season.

Additionally, the Browns have a top pick in this year’s draft. The team is assumed to have their choice on incoming passers. It would be cheaper for the next four to five seasons to draft a young quarterback and develop him. Also by selecting a quarterback the Browns would be able to personally start his development and not take a player that may have bad habits.

However, the Cleveland Browns could very well gain a lot by signing Cousins. By doing so, they might potentially have found an excellent player. By signing Cousins, the Browns would be able to address another one of their needs such as receiver, defensive line, and secondary.

If Cousins could continue his performance this season and every season then the Browns should definitely sign him long term. But until the team knows if he can, then he is too much of a risk to pay elite money.

Next: No. 4 The Houston Texans

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