Skins reportedly want 2nd-round pick for Cousins

How much would you give up to acquire Kirk Cousins? (USATSI)

Earlier this month, Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins was reportedly open to being traded. Of course, this holds for anybody who isn't starting; they're willing to relocate if it means more playing time.

But any quarterback-needy team interested in Cousins' services must be willing to part with a second-round pick, according to the Washington Post's Mark Maske.

The Redskins don't have a 2014 first-rounder; that belongs to the Rams thanks to the blockbuster trade prior to the 2012 draft that put Washington in position to take Robert Griffin III. And while RG3 struggled in 2013 (he was benched for the final three games of the season), new coach Jay Gruden has made it clear that Griffin is his starter in '14. Which means that Cousins will be no higher than second on the depth chart.

"It's not clear how active the Redskins' trade discussions with other teams regarding Cousins are at this point, or what other clubs might be willing to surrender in a trade for him," Maske writes. "It also is not known if Redskins officials will remain adamant about wanting to receive a second-round choice for Cousins or if the team ultimately might be willing to part with him for a lesser compensation package."

At the time of the original report that Cousins was open to a trade, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora believed that if the Redskins worked out a deal with another team, it could possibly occur around the 2013 NFL Combine, which starts Wednesday.

Frankly, the odds seem long that Cousins will be anywhere but Washington when the 2014 season begins, but like the old saying goes, it only takes one. Just one general manager or head coach who thinks that Cousins is worth it the price. Plus: With Michael Vick and Josh McCownleading the way, the free-agent quarterback market is decidedly mediocre.

Lost in all this is that Cousins didn't play particularly well last season. In five games (three starts), the 2012 fourth-rounder threw for 854 yards, completed 58.4 percent of his passes, and tossed four touchdowns versus seven interceptions.

Put in more sober terms, he ranked 45th in value per play, according to Football Outsiders, which was worse than Josh Freeman, Geno Smith and Brandon Weeden.

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You can forget about TE Tony Gonzalez making a comeback



Although Tony Gonzalez previously said he is retired, he left the door open a smidgen by saying that he could possibly return late in the 2014 season if the Falcons were a championship-contending team. That door was shut and locked today.Gonzalez has signed on to be part of CBS' "The NFL Today" Sunday morning pregame show. He and Boomer Esiason will replace Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino. As such, Gonzalez told SportsBusiness Daily that he won't be back as a player.



CBS probably took measures to make sure that if Gonzalez joined its team, he would be contractually unable to jump back to the NFL. I think Gonzalez will make a good analyst, although I will miss Sharpe's deep, garbled tones. Expect to see Gonzalez, the NFL's all-time leader in catches, yards, and touchdowns among tight ends, receive a bust in Canton in five years.The Falcons top tight end right now is Levine Toilolo. He is off the re-draft radar at the moment.