Every NFL draft pick dreams of impressing their coach and landing themselves a starting position. In 2012 Cousins was drafted 102nd overall as the seventh pick in the fourth round to the Washington Redskins. For some, pre-season and special teams is as far as they go. Often, rookies who fail to impress land on practice squads. This was not the case for former Michigan State and second team all BigTen quarterback Kirk Cousins. In just his third year, Cousins finds himself starting for the Washington Redskins; a role many thought he didn't earn. After Robert Griffin III's injury Cousins was trusted to lead the Redskins. Following RG3's injury, Cousins took over and threw for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game vs. the Jaguars, giving them their first win of the season. Since then, he has yet to win a game but continues to impress with his starter quality performances. 

As a prototypical pocket passer, Cousins' longevity in the NFL is extremely high. A tall pocket passer like Cousins, Vinny Testaverde, played twenty-one years in the NFL. With only three years under his belt, Cousins is continuing to grow as a quarterback. One of the most valuable attributes a player can have in the NFL is experience, something Cousins is slowing accumulating. Still, he is making veteran throws game after game. One throw that truly captures his NFL potential was a 60 yard touchdown pass to Desean Jackson vs. the Seattle Seahawks week 5. Rolling right on 2nd and 6, Cousins breaks contain and finds Jackson down the sideline on broken cover three coverage. A truly impressive throw, threading the ball over two Seahawks players on the run. Throws like this made quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady the superstars they are today. It is worth noting that both  Rodgers and Brady were low draft picks as well as Cousins. Hopefully these plays are a glimpse of things to come for the Michigan State alumnus. 

Cousins is on pace for a 4,186 yard, 27  touchdown year. This would top his senior year at Michigan State University where he threw for 3,316 yards and 25 touchdowns. To this date, week 7, he has 10 touchdowns for a total of 1,571 yards; ranking him currently 11th in passing yards. He is on track for a very impressive season for a third year quarterback on a struggling team. 

Kirk Cousins is a better fit for Sean McVay and Jay Gruden's offense too. With weapons like Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, the Redskins' passing game should be respected. Cousins' sure feet and strong arm give way to a new area of air it out football in Washington. Michigan State students and alumni should be excited to watch Cousins grow in the NFL and become and elite quarterback.