Could The Redskins Spoil The Rams’ Plan?

Dec 8, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (12) rolls out against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past three years the Redskins have done their fair share in helping the Rams bring their franchise back to respectability. Because of the Redskins the Rams now hold the number two overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and are looking once again pull off a big trade, much like they did with the Redskins.

The last few days however, the Redskins have said ‘not so fast’ and are looking to trade Kirk Cousins to none other than the Cleveland Browns.

It was thought that Cleveland was the top choice to trade up in the Rams’ number two overall spot to draft a quarterback, if the Browns trade for Cousins, more than likely that will no longer be the case.

The Browns have recently hired former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan which makes a trade for Cousins make perfect sense. Shanahan liked Cousins in Washington and certainly wouldn’t mind a quarterback who already knows his system on his new team.

Cousins believes he has the ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL and that certainly isn’t going to happen in an organization that is basically ran by the guy Cousins is competing with.

Cousins believes he is ready to start and already has had discussions with the Redskins’ hierarchy, which declared Griffin as their starter last month. Cousins isn’t eligible to be traded until March 11, but certainly the Redskins will be looking to get a trade in place before then.

With the Browns not being in the quarterback needy teams in the NFL, that gives a team not drafting in the top five a chance to get one of the top quarterbacks in this draft.

Other teams that the Rams could trade with are Oakland and Minnesota. The thing that made trading with Cleveland so attractive was that they have another first round pick in the first round that they could trade away, but if they trade that to Washington, that obviously won’t be an option.

If Cleveland were to be out of the picture and leave the possibility of one of the top quarterbacks falling, it definitely could shake things up for the St. Louis Rams and possibly force them to stay at number two which is something that they would rather not have to do.

For the Rams, it’s all going to depend on how much Washington wants for Cousins, how much Cleveland likes Cousins, and how much Cleveland is willing to give up to get their franchise guy. Whichever option Cleveland likes better, and whichever one comes at the right price, is the team that will get the deal.