Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins, good defense not mutually exclusive

Money is on the mind for the Washington Redskins.

They face a crucial tradeoff this year. Lose the quarterback who has re-written the record books in the past two years, all for a bit of financial security? Just how tight would the constraints be on the Redskins, were they to sign Kirk Cousins to a long-term deal? Many say such constraints would be suffocating, so much so that by signing Cousins, the Redskins would render themselves unable to build a strong defensive unit.

But contrary to popular belief, Kirk Cousins and a good defense are not mutually exclusive.

Somehow, somewhere, a baffling delusion was created, asserting that with Kirk Cousins signed to a long-term deal, the Washington Redskins would consequently be unable to build a solid defense. That parcel of ammunition for those whose opinions are locked against signing Cousins couldn’t be farther for the truth.

Yes, signing Cousins to a long-term deal in the mid $20 million range, with substantial guarantees, would hinder the team’s financial flexibility, to an extent. But it would not restrain them from building a defense. Far from it.

Let’s say the Washington Redskins, with roughly $52 million in cap space, decide to sign Cousins to a deal worth $25 million a year, with $40 million in guarantees, the deal suggested in our offseason simulation earlier in the month. Such a deal would leave $27 million available to sign players back, as well as do a little value searching on the market.

The Redskins were in a similar situation last offseason when Cousins was under a second franchise tag, and they were still able to sign D.J. Swearinger, Zach Brown, and Stacy McGee to reasonable deals. In fact, they managed to overpay Terrell McClain and Terrelle Pryor as well.

Now, having more money would have enabled them to, or at least encourage them to, go after higher profile free agent targets like Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson. But as we saw later in the season, the Redskins’ drafted players developed nicely on the defensive line. The safety position also happens to be coming along swimmingly.

I’ll put this as simply as I can. Dollars don’t build defenses; draft picks do. Free agency is only meant to be an opportunity for patchwork. The real work is done in the NFL Draft. That is where it truly counts. Where a team can nab players of top-tier talent early in their respective careers.

In the past few years, the Redskins have managed to build a promising young defensive core almost entirely through the draft, with free agency playing second fiddle. Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, and Anthony Lanier are all quickly growing into disruptive linemen, and Kendall Fuller, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, and Montae Nicholson all have exceptional upside in the secondary. That’s seven able players, all in a span of two years.

The inside linebacker position is, aside from Josh Norman, the only exception. When healthy, this defense is better than its reputation. And with one or two more successful drafts, it can become the solid defense that so many say is impossible with Kirk Cousins at the helm.

Look at all the teams that have reached the Super Bowl in recent years. How did they build their core? Nearly all of the Falcons’ starters from last year’s team were drafted in the previous three years. The Patriots are known for offshoring players after one or two deals and drafting more talent. And the Broncos Super Bowl 50 roster, headlined by Peyton Manning, was masterminded by John Elway through the draft.

In today’s NFL, players are blossoming earlier and earlier. More and more talent is being infused into the sport of football, and quality football players, with eventual starting potential, can be found in virtually every round of the draft. If the Washington Redskins simply do their homework, they can keep Kirk Cousins and boast a solid, winnable defense in the near future. They’re almost there already. Hiring a proven talent evaluator, unlike Bruce Allen, might help them even more. But that’s a different story. And an unlikely one.

For now, let’s not talk about whether Cousins wants to be in Washington, or whether Washington’s stubborn front office wants to uphold a sliver of pride by letting him go. It’s not a question of whether Cousins has earned it (which he has). It’s a question of whether it’s possible. And it is.

Next: For Redskins, relying on Colt McCoy in 2018 is too risky

Cousins is already a great quarterback, and as the team gets better around him, he will get better as well. In a quarterback scarce league, with none of the options in free agency providing much confidence, and none of the options in the draft reasonable at the Redskins’ draft slot, barring a draft day slide. Sometimes you just need to run with what you got. The Redskins have had a capable quarterback for three years. It’s time they run with him. While they still can.