Crown Jewel!

33rd Team’s recent rankings of the top free-agent quarterbacks in the 2024 class have identified Kirk Cousins as the “crown jewel” among the available talents. Despite acknowledging potential concerns such as Cousins’ age and his recent Achilles injury, 33rd Team emphasized the quarterback’s remarkable consistency, boasting a passer rating of 101.2 throughout his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings since 2018. This level of reliability has positioned Cousins as an attractive prospect for teams seeking a seasoned and proficient quarterback.

While the Vikings’ general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has expressed the team’s desire to re-sign Cousins, no concrete agreement has been reached as of now. Cousins, in turn, has shown openness to the idea of returning for another season in Minnesota, but his response to the possibility of accepting a hometown discount was somewhat elusive. The expectations and negotiations between both parties remain shrouded in uncertainty.

The truncated 2023 season saw Cousins in the midst of the best performance of his career before an Achilles tear prematurely ended his campaign. In just eight games, he amassed impressive statistics, throwing for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a mere five interceptions. Over the course of his career, Cousins has consistently demonstrated his quarterback prowess, accumulating 39,471 passing yards, 270 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions.

The remainder of 33rd Team’s top-nine free-agent quarterbacks include Baker Mayfield at No. 2, who notably led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a playoff win this season. Gardner Minshew follows at No. 3, with Sam Darnold at No. 4, Ryan Tannehill at No. 5, Jacoby Brissett at No. 6, Jameis Winston at No. 7, Tyler Huntley at No. 8, and Tyrod Taylor rounding out the list at No. 9. The characterization of Cousins as the “crown jewel” within this group appears justified, given his consistent performance and the potential impact he could bring to a team in need of an experienced and reliable quarterback.