Differences
3 years under contract.
Year 1 is learning year for draft pick which somewhat reduces the value of the extra 3 years.
The pick is #27. That could be Taco...
You missed three big differences.
Money. About 15mil a year difference.
Freedom on asset allocation. Do we want to put big resources into WR? Recent NFL history says no. I say no.
A chance for *another* contract in the player's prime. Which with a great player, is what we gave up a pick for with Cooper. Just a *chance* for another contract.
For comparison purposes, consider a 3 year extension for Cooper, making the total length of contract equal from here on out, and just considering Cooper's missed games last year like a rookie ramping up. Like Gallup.
1st round pick for BPA, taking into account position value
plus a chance to extend that 1st round pick for a contract in his prime
plus 15mil per year extra to spend in free agency on whatever positions and opportunities are the best available
vs.
Cooper's contract plus a 3 year extension
Here are *all* our first recent first round picks, not just your rotten cherry pick of Taco: LVE, Taco, Zeke (Let's say Jaylon), Jones, Martin, Frederick, Claiborne, Tyron.
Heads up, I'd rather have most of those picks *without* the 15 mil. It's supposed to be a great class for dline. I'd rather put the resources there. Or maybe someone great drops. And in 5 years, we'll have a chance to extend him, just the value we're getting out of Cooper now.
I hadn't realized the issue about the contract 5 years from now before. Like everyone else, but less so, I was focused on the shorter term.
We mortgaged the future big time, to get a great player at a position of need, but not a position to pump big resources into.