Niner Noise
FanSided

The top NFL player to watch from each team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins (8) prior to the game at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins (8) prior to the game at Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Redskins — Quarterback Kirk Cousins

The Washington Redskins are a team I’d predict to go through some rough, rough times this season.

All of the mess with former general manager Scot McCloughan sure was ugly. And it didn’t help the team lost its two best wide receivers, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson, via free agency.

Left in the mess is quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will also be without his former offensive coordinator, Sean McVay, who took over as the Rams head coach this offseason.

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The Redskins slapped the franchise tag on Cousins this offseason, and they’ll either have to pony up a big contract for him between now and next year or let him walk via free agency. Combine this with earlier offseason reports Cousins didn’t want to be there, and we can see how the wheels may be falling off.

Part of the offseason discussion included Cousins wanting to play for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers.

If the Niners are looking at Cousins as a possible option in 2018, this year winds up being an audition.

Heck, it would be so for Cousins in any regard.

Next: Biggest winners & losers from first week of 49ers OTAs

Depending on how things go this year, Cousins will either be viewed as a hot commodity or a forgotten piece less than a year from now. And that’s worth watching.