The St. Louis Rams and the free agent (or close to) QB market

Dec 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to pass the ball against Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. The Washington Redskins won 24-21.Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – Pending 2016 Free Agent

Cousins’ stock has never been higher than it is heading into the closure of 2015. Most of that is due to the fact that he will finish 2015 with more starts than his last three seasons combined. This is the first opportunity the league has had to take a good look at what Cousins brings to the table, and it’s not bad. Cousins completion percentage is just shy of 70 percent, his current passing yards total is over 3,300 and he should come very close to the 4,000 mark and he’s thrown almost twice as many touchdowns (18) as he has interceptions (11).

Cousins will be a free agent in 2016 as he finishes out his rookie deal. Drafted in 2012, Cousins was a fourth-round selection by the Washington Redskins. He was the second quarterback taken that year by Washington. Many viewed him a a potential starter in the NFL, and the selection by Washington was a bit surprising. Trade rumors have followed Cousins since that day.

Any team that signs Cousins is still paying for the chance that he can live up to that potential. He’s young enough, and doesn’t carry enough statistically to demand much money or years in a contract. This season will be the highest earning year for the 27-year-old quarterback with a salary of $660,000.

Cousins will argue he’s deserving of a starting role, and he very well might be, but it will be tough to convince an NFL franchise to simply hand him the keys to the offense. Washington, apparently also content with giving Griffin III his walking papers at seasons end, is probably more apt to keep Cousins on a smaller deal, but he might look for greener pastures given his rocky history with the team. St. Louis could certainly take a run at the quarterback given their apparent need, and his low cost make it a team friendly deal that fits well with the commitment they have in place for Nick Foles.

Next: Can a division rival leftover help the Rams?