The Washington Redskins are thrilled to have RG3 as their quarterback heading into 2014, but the trade that got the team Robert Griffin III also gave the Rams the number 2 overall pick this year and that could spark the Redskins to trade Kirk Cousins to the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings or Jacksonville Jaguars, as they could use some extra picks for Jay Gruden in his opening year, as they do not have a first round pick in the draft.
The Redskins did not have the season they envisioned in 2013 and by the end of the year it was Cousins under center and Griffin on the sidelines and things eventually turned into a disaster. The offseason in 2014 has been much better for the team after finishing 3-13, as they have a new head coach now in Gruden after firing Mike Shanahan, while Griffin is looking back to his old self and appears healthy and ready to start the season. On top of that, the biggest development for the Redskins this offseason was signing DeSean Jackson from the Eagles.
Cousins said earlier in the offseason that he was open to a trade and while that didn't go down, it's something that teams could look at during the draft. The Texans, Jaguars, Browns and Vikings all could be open to a deal if they pass up on the quarterbacks early, as Cousins could be had for a mid-round pick. The ESPN.com report about him being open to a trade speculated that a fourth or fifth round pick could be dealt for him and that would give the Redskins some more flexibility heading into the event.
The Redskins know that in the NFL bouncing back from 3-13 can happen in one season and after adding Jackson, Griffin and Gruden know it can be done in DC. Two years ago the team was at its highest point and after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs they fell off hard last year and were just terrible and now they are in a division that can be won and adding Jackson makes the team very explosive.
The Redskins come into the draft with just six picks after they dealt their first round pick for the year to the Rams for the right to draft RG3 and that is why a trade for Cousins could be coming. The team signed Colt McCoy in the offseason and ESPN.com reported that Cousins was looking to get dealt somewhere where he could compete to start and that would enable the Redskins to get some extra draft picks. The team then could move into the first round if they want, as their first pick is at number 34 in the second, or they could move down and get more picks, as the draft is a deep one this year and there is talent at a number of positions.
The Redskins come into the season after ranking 16th in passing yards per game and adding Gruden should get that even higher. The team opens on the road against the Houston Texans and then they play the Jaguars before two division games against the Eagles and Giants and then the team hosts the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night football.
