ESPN Names 3 NFC Teams As Fits For QB Kirk Cousins

The Las Vegas Raiders got off to a 3-3 start, but reality set in with some losses and questions about whether or not veteran QB Kirk Cousins will continue to be the starter. 

Right now, head coach Klint Kubiak has insisted there's "no controversy" regarding Cousins as the QB1. That means rookie and No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will have to keep waiting to make his first-ever NFL regular-season start.

But, if the Raiders lose, they might be wise to trade Cousins ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen listed 25 trade candidates, and Cousins was named at the bottom of the list at No. 22. 

While they gave him a 20% chance of being traded, they did name three NFC teams as potential fits: The New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings. 

For starters, the Vikings have Kyler Murray, but he is injury prone. Plus, Cousins returning to Minnesota would be a fun storyline in itself. 

Cousins would provide quality depth for the NFL's last remaining undefeated team. 

Moving on, the New York Giants are an interesting thought. J.J. McCarthy has played well since being acquired in a trade with the Vikings. However, we all know how quickly things can go south for McCarthy, and John Harbaugh isn't wasting his first year, even with the injury to Jaxson Dart. 

So, Cousins would provide depth, and if McCarthy struggles, the Giants would much rather use Cousins than go back and try the Jameis Winston experiment again. 

Lastly, the Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young is there, so why Cousins? Young has thrown for 1,712 yards with 12 touchdowns, and Carolina is 3-3 but in first place in the weak NFC South. 

Kenny Pickett is Carolina's backup, and that isn't as exciting as somebody like Cousins. 

There could be other suitors, especially if there is another injury before Nov. 10 comes. The Philadelphia Eagles make some sense since Jalen Hurts is out for the foreseeable future, but Cousins playing in the NFC East after spending some of his career with Washington would be quite interesting. 

The Raiders plan on starting Cousins still, but that could change any week. And, if they get offered a draft pick or two for Cousins, why wouldn't they take it and not have to worry about leaving Mendoza on the bench? 

Only time will tell, but Cousins could be leaving Las Vegas very soon.