Comparing the Kirk Cousins trade market to other 2022 QBs
By Luke Parrish
Where does Deshaun Watson fit into the mix?
The Houston Texans are in a very precarious spot heading into another offseason full of mystery. Deshaun Watson is still seeking a trade but his off-field concerns have halted that process for the time being. With his court cases still up in the air, there is a lot of danger in trading for the young quarterback.
On the field, Watson is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the NFL that has kept the Texans alive in the AFC despite a depleted roster. If he were cleared to play, the market for Watson would likely be greater than that of Aaron Rodgers due to his age. However, that is not the case and the Texans are in limbo.
Houston has reportedly asked for three first-round picks and more in exchange for Watson this offseason and they haven’t shown any signs of backing off of that asking price. If they are going to move on from Watson, they are hoping to get enough back that they can compete relatively soon, which is a fair goal.
Watson has a lot to offer that Cousins simply does not. His ability to create with his legs and strong arm have helped him stay among the league’s best quarterbacks when he is on the field. With youth on his side, Watson demands a huge market.
Of course, none of this matters at the end of the day given his pending legal situation, and comparing his value to Kirk Cousins’ is pretty much impossible given the severity of the situation and the questions that it presents.
The Vikings would not be asking for a “King’s ransom” for Kirk Cousins because that is not the level of player that he is, especially at his current age, salary, and a one-year contract.