Where Does Kirk Cousins Rank Among Fantasy QBs This Year?
Josh Frey
|
With preseason football starting this weekend, the regular season is officially right around the corner. In the same light, fantasy football drafts are heating up across the country. One position that often gets put on the back burner is quarterback. With the NFL becoming more and more pass-first every year, there is a healthy number of players that can suffice at the position. That said, if you’re a Minnesota Vikings fan, is it worth making their QB1 your QB1 this season?
Last Season’s Numbers
Going into the 2020 campaign, the Vikings were looking to improve upon a 10-6 record that led them to a playoff berth. Contrary to what many may say, a big reason the Vikings went 10-6 was because of Kirk Cousins. Cousins played very well in his 15 games (he sat out the season finale vs Chicago), en route to 3603 yards, 26 TDs, and just six INTs. Fantasy-wise, it was a bit underwhelming as he clocked in as the 13th QB in terms of points.
Then, the first six games of the 2020 season happened. Cousins was atrocious in each of these games, tossing 1475 yards, 11 TDs and 10 INTs. He totaled 20 fantasy points just twice in these games, and even put up a negative outing in week 2 against the Colts. The Vikings were 1-5, and the season was all but lost.
After their bye though, Cousins turned into a completely different QB. Over the final 10 games, he threw for 2790 yards, 24 TDs, and three INTs. The veteran tallied four games of 300+ yards and 3 TDs, with three weeks inside the top-five in terms of fantasy production. He had zero weeks inside the top-five during the first six games of the season. Cousins finished the season firmly in the 11th QB spot; he was 26 points behind Lamar Jackson in 10th and 24 points ahead of Matt Ryan in 12th.
Looking Ahead to 2021
Cousins’ abysmal start to 2020 ended his chance at being a top-10 fantasy QB. The Vikings ran into a buzzsaw of four playoff teams in six weeks; three of which ranked in the top half of the league in scoring defense. Unfortunately, 2021’s schedule may prove equally difficult. The Vikings have a better chance to get off to a good start with games against Cincinnati, Detroit, and Carolina in their first six.
However, Minnesota has the privilege of playing in the NFC North, and that division got matched up with the NFC West and AFC North this year. Ultimately, these two divisions may be the toughest in football, especially at the top. The six-week stretch that may make-or-break Cousins’ season is looming, though. This time, it is weeks 9-14 and looks like this:
Week 9 @ Baltimore
Week 10 @ LA Chargers
Week 11 vs Green Bay
Week 12 @ San Francisco
Week 13 @ Detroit
Week 14 vs Pittsburgh
The only game you can really feel confident about is the Detroit game, but even then, it could be a trap game given it’s their fifth road game in six weeks. Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Baltimore, and LA all ranked in the top-10 against the pass last season, and they should be similarly good in 2021. If Cousins can come out of this stretch of games without multiple stinkers, his fantasy campaign could be a successful one.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Kirk Cousins provides a little bit of security in that he will be there week in and week out. He has not missed a game due to injury since becoming a full-time starter in 2015. However, should not be selected in leagues with fewer than 10 teams.
The Vikings will be a run-first team as long as Dalvin Cook is healthy, and he has been in recent years. Combine that with the gauntlet of pass defenses that Minnesota has to play, and the Vikings are best suited with a pound-the-ground approach. If he is a free agent in your league, keep an eye on him as he is capable of big performances, but he should not be the full-time starter on a fantasy team.