Just a few years ago, there was never a question about Kirk Cousins being taken in the upper rounds of fantasy football drafts. Year after year, the veteran quarterback could be penciled in for at least 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes.
But, at 36 years old at the start of the regular season, Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles that caused him to miss more than half of last year. In addition, Cousins begins the 2024 campaign with a new team (the Atlanta Falcons), a new head coach (Raheem Morris), and a new, first-time offensive coordinator (Zac Robinson).
Has age and injury history finally caught up with Cousins? How will the seasoned signal-caller adjust to a fresh environment?
Here’s an overview of Cousins’ fantasy outlook for this upcoming season.
Kirk Cousins’ Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
All signs were pointing towards yet another season with at least 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown throws in 2023, but a right Achilles injury brought things to an abrupt half after eight games, 2,331 passing yards, and 18 touchdown passes.
Last season snapped Cousins’ streak of eight straight years with at least 3,500 passing yards, seven of which resulted in 4,000 or more. It was also the first time since 2014 that Cousins did not throw for at least 25 touchdowns.
So, if you believe that the injury was all that stood in his way of having another elite fantasy season in 2023, there is a lot to like about Cousins heading into this year.
Though the Falcons drafted a quarterback in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft (Michael Penix Jr.), there isn’t expected to be any competition for the starting spot — assuming Cousins is at full strength when the season begins.
The Falcons did not sign Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal to be their quarterback 10 years down the road. They signed him to produce the kind of numbers he put up over an eight-season span from 2015-2022.
In those seasons, Cousins averaged over 4,200 passing yards per season (4263.8) and 29 touchdown passes per year, recording a passer rating of 99.6.
If healthy, and reports early in training camp suggest he is progressing fine, Cousins could return to his usual numbers — at least for this season.
Is Kirk Cousins a Good Fantasy Pick?
Cousins is the No. 14 quarterback in Pro Football Network’s 2024 Fantasy Rankings.
His age and the personnel he inherits with his new team are among the worries surrounding Cousins. Justin Jefferson will not be around to catch passes, and the Falcons’ receiving core is less than impressive.
Atlanta’s leading receiver last season, Drake London, did not reach 70 receptions. In addition, the Falcons’ leader in touchdown receptions was running back Bijan Robinson, who had just four TD catches.
Only one (London) of the four players who had at least 50 receptions for the Falcons last season was a wide receiver.
Cousins’ injury history also raises concerns.
While he has returned without issue so far, it’s worth noting that the Achilles injury occurred to his right leg, where he pushes off from on pass attempts. So, it will be worth watching how effective he is on deep throws this season.
If you believe he can return to full health, Cousins seems like a worthy consideration in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.