The Atlanta Falcons will have a new quarterback next season, signing Kirk Cousins to a deal worth $180 million. That includes $100 million in guarantees. That’s not too bad for a soon-to-be 36-year-old field general who is coming off a torn Achilles. In the world of fantasy football, the implications are massive, indeed.
The move gives Atlanta a bona fide stat-sheet stuffer who has thrown for 4,000-plus yards in each of his last three full seasons. In 2023, Cousins was on pace to throw for almost 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns before getting hurt. Now that he’s in Atlanta, Cousins’ presence will be nothing but a good thing for the fantasy values of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and let’s get nuts, even … Kyle Pitts!
Of course, this all assumes that Cousins has no setbacks in his return from what is a serious injury (although I don’t think Atlanta is giving him all the cash without a pretty thorough medical examination)! And while it all seems like unicorns and rainbows, I do think the move hurts Cousins’ value even if it’s just a few spots, at quarterback.
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Remember, Cousins has played in a pass-happy offense with maybe the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson. The Falcons are certain to throw the ball, but their offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, has never filled that role. He was the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams the last two years, but what will a Robinson-led offensive attack look like? We’re going to find out soon.
At what is going to be a super deep position, I’d rank Cousins as a solid No. 2 fantasy quarterback. Robinson remains a high-end No. 1 fantasy runner with an even bigger ceiling, and London could push for No. 2 wideout value in 2023.
As for the Vikings, they’re now in desperate need of a signal-caller. With Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield no longer available and the Chicago Bears unlikely to trade Justin Fields within the division, Minnesota might have to sign a modest veteran and/or draft a quarterback with the 11th overall selection. They could even move up in the draft, but that would come at a very high cost.
Regardless, a downgrade at quarterback is imminent. Will that hurt the value of Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, even to a slight degree?
I think it’s possible. Stay tuned.
Related: 2024 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Grading Every Major Move
