Brandin Cooks gets 5/80

[Fountain City Blues]

 

[Clayton]

 

[NinerSickness]

 

[Clayton]

I don't understand why they let Sammy Watkins walk to then trade for Cooks (losing a 1st rounder) and then lock up Cooks with the same contract with more years.

The Saints and Patriots passed on this guy. Thats not a good sign.

I'm missing something. (Watkins injury history maybe)

 

[RP-29]

I just don't understand this... How is an average WR like Cooks - who only touches the ball four times/game - getting $16M/y and the best running backs and offensive linemen in the league struggle to get half that?

 

[NinerSickness]

I just don't understand this... How is an average WR like Cooks

 

[Clayton]

I'd don't know if I'd say average. He is a specialist.

His career pre-Brady I think PFF had him 2nd best at Deep Ball routes and 20th best in the league on the other routes. I think PFF said he had the largest value difference of any WR they ever tested based on whether he was going against a fast CB (average) or a slow CB (rockstar).

He has had Brees and Brady throwing to him his whole career, though.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I don't understand why they let Sammy Watkins walk to then trade for Cooks (losing a 1st rounder) and then lock up Cooks with the same contract with more years.

The Saints and Patriots passed on this guy. Thats not a good sign.

I'm missing something. (Watkins injury history maybe)

The contract actually starts after next year because of the 5th year option, so it's actually less in terms of AAV if you use accounting tricks; a more comparable contract in terms of AAV is actually Jarvis Landry.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Sammy Watkins
Brandin Cooks

Watkins is about 3 months older

Watkins: 3 years/48M (9.02% of 2018 Cap)

Cooks: 5 years/80

If that is deferred to start in 2019, it's more like a 6/88 deal that is 8.47% of the cap over 6 years

Jarvis Landry: 8.42% of the cap over 5 years

 

[Clayton]

The contract actually starts after next year because of the 5th year option, so it's actually less in terms of AAV if you use accounting tricks; a more comparable contract in terms of AAV is actually Jarvis Landry.

Ah.

So thats the value of a late first rounder?

Being cute with contracts will make Snead look like a genius if they win a Super Bowl. Thats about the only way. You have to pay Donald.

 

[RP-29]

Okay, so maybe "average" is a bit of an understatement (depending on the scope of your definition), but he's certainly not more valuable than every running back in the league.

NFL Rankings

That value disparity is perplexing to me.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Ah.

So thats the value of a late first rounder?

Being cute with contracts will make Snead look like a genius if they win a Super Bowl. Thats about the only way. You have to pay Donald.

I'd love to see the guaranteed money on this deal and what it looks like for Cooks to have signed.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I just don't understand this... How is an average WR like Cooks - who only touches the ball four times/game - getting $16M/y and the best running backs and offensive linemen in the league struggle to get half that?

I think Cooks is overrated and probably doesn't belong in a top 10 WR conversation, but he's definitely good. Not sure he was worth over 8% of the cap, especially after Watkins' output was so sketchy there, but not my money and not my team I guess.

Harder to find a Cooks than a good RB that can do 80% of what Bell does.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

If I am wrong and this contract supersedes, feel free to @ me.

 

[NinerSickness]

Okay, so maybe "average" is a bit of an understatement (depending on the scope of your definition), but he's certainly not more valuable than every running back in the league.

NFL Rankings

That value disparity is perplexing to me.

Hard to compare apples & oranges. Cooks is one of the more dangerous WRs in the league IMO. And he's 24. He's gonna be pain in the NFC West's ass, IMO.

 

[SteelersPride]

I don't understand why they let Sammy Watkins walk to then trade for Cooks (losing a 1st rounder) and then lock up Cooks with the same contract with more years.

The Saints and Patriots passed on this guy. Thats not a good sign.

I'm missing something. (Watkins injury history maybe)

simple cooks has produced, watkins hasnt

 

[Clayton]

simple cooks has produced, watkins hasnt

True, but they perform the same role.

I don't think more deep balls would make the Rams a better team. I think they had the offensive formula almost perfect last year and Watkins didnt need a whole lot of touches.

I might be overselling the value of the first rounder here but giving away a first rounder is tough

 

[SteelersPride]

True, but they perform the same role.

I don't think more deep balls would make the Rams a better team. I think they had the offensive formula almost perfect last year and Watkins didnt need a whole lot of touches.

I might be overselling the value of the first rounder here but giving away a first rounder is tough

cooks is the only receiver to start his career with 3 1000 yard seasons

 

[Clayton]

cooks is the only receiver to start his career with 3 1000 yard seasons

Didn't impress the Saints or Patriots very much...

 

[MikeMed]

Cooks is a difference maker who can get open......Somebody was going to pay him....That is a lot of money though but lets see if he earns it........Would have thought they would have gotten a Donald deal done by know.