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Don’t count out Redskins QB Kirk Cousins to the 49ers in 2018 just yet

By Stephen Ur

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers have acquired quarterback Jimmy Garappolo in a trade with the New England Patriots. While this appears to have set the quarterback position in stone, don’t count out Kirk Cousins to the Niners in 2018 just yet.

There has been much speculation current Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins will join the San Francisco 49ers in free agency this March. Cousins would be a good fit for the Niners despite the team’s recent acquisition of former New England Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

He would be joining former Redskins receiver Pierre Garçon. Together, the two recorded 1,041 receiving yards and hooked up for three touchdowns a year ago.

Before going more into why Cousins should be with the Niners next season, let’s look into why Garappolo won’t be there.

For starters, Garappolo only started three games for the Patriots in 2016 during starter Tom Brady’s absence. Even under head coach Bill Belichick, Garoppolo only threw for 502 yards and four touchdowns.

Not for nothing, but Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan is no Belichick.

Plus, the Niners don’t have the best offensive line either. Garoppolo will be under a lot of pressure and could see himself being brought down on multiple occasions. He won’t even start for some time, if at all, this season. C.J. Beathard will start until further notice, per Shanahan (h/t Joe Fann of 49ers.com):

Why would fans believe a quarterback backing up a rookie will be the next face of the franchise? That doesn’t make much sense.

Plus, Garoppolo isn’t signed beyond 2017. What if he struggles mightily then walks?

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 18: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 18: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Cousins will be a better fit for the Niners than Garappolo. He has experience working with Garçon, who will return from his season-ending neck injury in 2018 with a vengeance. He also sounds very intrigued by what the Niners are doing.

“I just see big-time player after big-time player,” Cousins was quoted saying, regarding San Francisco’s defensive upgrades, in a conference call with Bay Area media, according to the Mercury News.

Meanwhile, the Redskins are tearing their own hair out. Last off-season, they let walk two of their 1,000-yard receivers in Garçon and DeSean Jackson. They were hopeful new Redskins receiver Terrelle Pryor, Jr. and second-year receiver Josh Doctson would replace them with no issues.

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However, there has been nothing but.

Pryor only has 223 receiving yards and one touchdown. Doctson has 130 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Two of those came on his only reception of each game (Oct. 15 against Philadelphia Eagles, Oct. 29 against Dallas Cowboys).

Wide receivers like Jordan Matthews, Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins will all be free agents in 2018 as well. Put them with Cousins, and the Niners will look like a borderline playoff team. They’d still have to compete with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, but the chances would improve.

Next: 2018 49ers' draft needs after Jimmy Garoppolo trade

It makes too much sense for Cousins to join the Niners in 2018. They are currently at 0-8, but they are about to make big moves. This team, with Cousins, will make a big turnaround compared to this season.