Dec 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins won 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns could go a number of routes in obtaining their next quarterback. One of those ways though should not include Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins.

Stating who exactly will be the next Cleveland Browns quarterback right now is both anyone’s guess and is very frustrating. We all know the main popular names: New England Patriots’ Jimmy Garoppolo, Buffalo Bills, Tyrod Taylor, North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, and Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes.

All of those quarterbacks in one way or another has a case to be made. However, some are stronger than others. That all said, one quarterback who has not been discussed as much as an option is Kirk Cousins.

As entertaining as it may be to think Cousins could become a Brown, it should not happen. Given the state of Cleveland’s roster and the way they are adding talent, he would not be beneficial to the organization.

Besides, what would Washington then do? They would have to go after Taylor, Garoppolo, or someone else. The Redskins could draft a QB early, but they would then be taking a risk possibly pushing back their organization for years.

Cousins is a low second or possibly third tier quarterback in the NFL. Yes, he has a solid arm, but he is more a byproduct of Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden’s system.

If Cousins was on another team, he would still do well, but he would not become a top 15 quarterback. In my eyes, he is at best 18th and that is on a good day.

Cleveland has a long ways to go before they become winners. Let’s assume Cousins did become their quarterback. The Browns would have to trade to get him because it is very unlikely to expect him on the free agent market. Cousins would then need to be signed to a larger contract than the one Garoppolo is expected to sign. With both requirements, Cleveland ends up on the losing end.

There are just too many holes to give up a first or second and filler for Cousins. There is enough tape on him to show that although he has some tools that are impressive, he is not continuing to progress as a NFL quarterback. That is of course being what he does in addition to what is listed in his stat line.

So, in other words, would you trade an early draft pick(s) for a quarterback similar to that of Cincinnati Bengals’ Andy Dalton? I would not and cannot make such an idea appear to be logical.

In five seasons, Cousins racked up a 72:42 touchdown to interception ratio, 12,113 yards, and a 65.9% completion percentage. Now, those are numbers Browns fans would love to see. I am not knocking that. I am however looking at the big picture.

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Cousins is a solid, not great quarterback who does not have that difference-maker mentality. Had his play and ability showed that Cousins is more than capable of taking a team to the next level, perhaps I would view him differently. Simply put, he is more of a risk than a reward, something the Browns cannot afford to do as they would not progress and grow.