Kirk Cousins Tops NFC North, Cracks Tier 3 in New QB Rankings

Is this a fair spot for Cousins?

The Vikings may not be the favorites in the NFC North this year, but they're entering the season with the division's best quarterback. Kirk Cousins tops his fellow divisional signal-callers and cracks the third tier in a new set of NFL quarterback rankings put out by Pro Football Network's Dalton Miller.

The Packers' Jordan Love is down at 24th in Tier 5, the "unknown commodities." That's a fair placement for someone we just haven't seen play much since he was drafted two years ago. Jared Goff at 19 and Justin Fields at 17 are in the expansive Tier 4, "useful but limited." Goff has a much higher floor than Fields as a passer, but Fields' rushing ability gives him significant upside if he can take a leap throwing the football this year.

Cousins comes in at No. 12, the bottom of a Tier 3 titled "above average."

The Minnesota Vikings are fascinating because of Kirk Cousins. He’s been more than efficient enough to be recognized as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, yet he’s consistently been unable to elevate the Vikings to the next level. In a season in which they finished 13-4, it was interesting to see his efficiency drop. The team got on not quite in spite of him, but not necessarily because of him, either.

The Vikings’ offense seemingly decided they’d score on their first offensive possession and then forget how to play football for the next 40 minutes or so until they absolutely had to have it. Having T.J. Hockenson and now Jordan Addison takes away any excuse the offense may have for not executing consistently.

Cousins is right behind Aaron Rodgers and Geno Smith. He's ranked as the fourth-best QB in the NFC behind Smith, Dak Prescott, and Jalen Hurts. I think that's reasonable.

This is a big season for Cousins, who is set to hit free agency next spring for the first time since 2018. Can his efficiency rebound in year two under Kevin O'Connell? Can he continue to deliver clutch victories for the Vikings? If he has a big season, he should get another sizable contract from someone next year, whether it's Minnesota or not.

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