Biography Kirk Cousins Quarterback Michigan State #8 Senior Redshirt
Pros
Arm Strength: Cousins has a gunslinger arm. It may not be considered a cannon arm or a rocket launcher. Still, Cousins throwing power is impressive enough to say the least.
Quick Release: Cousins has a quick release. He can release the football almost immediately off the snap.
Durability: Even though Cousins has taken some hits at times he gets back up and continues to play. You look for a quarterback who displays that kind of toughness.
Awareness: Cousins has good awareness and field vision when it comes to reading plays on the field.
Football IQ: Cousins is very smart for a quarterback prospect who probably will not get drafted in the first round. He talks about how it is an honor to play the game while staying humble.
Field General: Cousins can play in any NFL offensive scheme. He can be used in a balanced offense, west coast, the vertical offense, or a spread offense.
Intangibles: Cousins has excellent intangibles for a quarterback prospect.
Play Action Passer: Kirk Cousins is one of the best quarterbacks in the country when it comes to selling the play action pass.
Pump Fakes Defense: Kirk Cousins is one of the best quarterbacks when it comes to pump faking passes.
1 Step Drop: Kirk Couins can make a throw off the 1 step drop.
Makes Proper Progressions with the 1 Step Drop: Kirk Cousins knows how to make the proper progressions off of a 1 Step Drop.
3 Step Drop: Cousins does a good job executing a 3 Step Drop.
Makes Proper Progressions with the 3 Step Drops: Cousins makes the proper progressions with the 3 step drops by checking short passes downdfield.
5 Step Drop: Cousins has the footwork to execute a 5 step drop.
7 Step Drop: Cousins proved he could execute a 7 Step Drop in Saturday’s win over Wisconsin.
Short Passing Game Mechanics: Cousins does a nice job executing passes with his short passing game mechanics.
Clutch: Cousins plays his best at quarterback in clutch situations.
Production: Cousins provides top notch production in critical situations.
Potential: Cousins has the potential to be a starter with the proper development. Cousins is backup with starter potential. He is not a pro bowler or an elite quarterback, but he can start in this league with the right development.
Cons
Size: Cousins is 6 foot 3 205 pounds. Cousins is undersized to a certain degree.
Learning Rate: It may take Cousins a year or two to adjust to the NFL.
Accuracy: The accuracy that Kirk Cousins displays is really inconsistent at times.
Needs to Improve Progressions on 5 Step Drop: Cousins gets rattled on his 5 step drops. Its actually something that defensive coordinators may try to use against Cousins.
Needs to Improve Progressions on 7 Step Drop: Cousins did heave that hail mary, but he just chucked that pass. Its not like he was reading the defense. He just lobbed the pass with almost no time left.
Medium Passing Game Mechanics: Kirk Cousins medium passing game mechanics are very dreadful to watch.
Deep Passing Game Mechanics: Kirk Cousins has to improve his deep passing game mechanics. If he doesn’t do this he will be labeled a check down quarterback.
Gets Rattled Under Pressure: Sometimes Kirk Cousins gets rattled under pressure and forces a bad mistake.
