Amari Cooper?

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

With the way wide receivers are performing at combine and the rules favoring offense , it's a matter of time before wide receivers become expendable. Just draft wide receivers in pairs every year and you will get your wr 1 and wr 2 in rookie contract every year .

Wide receiver is the new running back . Use money saved on truly elite talent if they become available. We will have the chance to compete and maybe win a ring once every 10-15 years . The run we had with Brady is over. It's gonna be a more competitive NFL henceforth.

I have to sit on this a bit.

My initial thought is that the Pats have shown over and over they simply don't know how to draft and/or develop at WR, so unless they make a significant change to how they evaluate this position, it's difficult to envision this changing soon.

I don't know if I agree WR is the new RB. They don't get nearly as many touches as a cowbell back, nor do they typically take the same amount of punishment. Anecdotally I think there are still plenty of elite WRs who play well past the expiration date of most elite RBs.

The trickle down effect to me is what makes an elite WR more valuable than an elite RB. Suddenly your previous #1 is now your #2, your #2 becomes your #3, etc, and they now recieve that type of treatment from defenses. This creates a better matchup for every WR on the field.

It's been a long time since we've seen an elite RB change the face of a team, or be the final piece of the puzzle. But I think we do see it more at the WR position. Look at how having Chase impacted the Bengals (I know there were other factors at play here, as well). Look at how much better Diggs made Buffalo. Look how much more prolific Moss made the Pats (and the Vikings before that), and the impact Hopkins made on the Cards.

I might be using confirmation bias here, but I feel like no back since AP has had this kind of impact on a team, and that was a pretty long time ago.

I do agree that we've been pretty spoiled the last 2 decades, and it would be foolish to ever expect a run of that length and caliber to ever happen again.

 

[Toofy]

I have to sit on this a bit.

My initial thought is that the Pats have shown over and over they simply don't know how to draft at WR, so unless they make a significant change to how they evaluate this position, it's difficult to envision this changing soon.

I don't know if I agree WR is the new RB. They don't get nearly as many touches as a cowbell back, nor do they typically take the same amount of punishment. Anecdotally I think there are still plenty of elite WRs who play well past the expiration date of most elite RBs.

It's been a long time since we've seen an elite RB change the face of a team, or be the final piece of the puzzle. But I think we do see it more at the WR position. Look at how having Chase impacted the Bengals (I know there were other factors at play here, as well). Look at how much better Diggs made Buffalo. Look how much more prolific Moss made the Pats (and the Vikings before that), and the impact Hopkins made on the Cards.

I might be using confirmation bias here, but I feel like no back since AP has had this kind of impact on a team, and that was a pretty long time ago.

I do agree that we've been pretty spoiled the last 2 decades, and it would be foolish to ever expect a run of that length and caliber to ever happen again.

See the level of talent all around in , christian Watson was expected to go in 4th round and could now possibly go in early 2nd round. So even with early 3rd round pick we will get a better player than Meyers or agholor . And the last few drafts wide receivers have been loaded big time. So paying any wr outside of elite talent more than 10 million seems wasteful. So either pay 18-20 million and get top 5 wr or get rookie wide receivers who can perform at 3 -4 million veteran receivers. The gulf between rookies and middling veterans like agholor has reduced or for that matter even amari cooper.

 

[patfanken]

See the level of talent all around in , christian Watson was expected to go in 4th round and could now possibly go in early 2nd round. So even with early 3rd round pick we will get a better player than Meyers or agholor . And the last few drafts wide receivers have been loaded big time. So paying any wr outside of elite talent more than 10 million seems wasteful. So either pay 18-20 million and get top 5 wr or get rookie wide receivers who can perform at 3 -4 million veteran receivers. The gulf between rookies and middling veterans like agholor has reduced or for that matter even amari cooper.

The way college and HS's play these days, there will be quality WR's coming into the draft EVERY year for the foreseeable future. Even now there will be very good prospects available through the end of the 3rd round.

As to Cooper, he's a guy a MIGHT be willing to look at if he were a FA. However looking at the cost of a high-ish draft pick AND $20MM/yr is way too high for a guy the Cowboys are supposedly looking to cut, There is no value in that trade regardless of how he's improve our WR room.

Now if a situation arises where you trade Aghular and his $10MM cap charge and get Cooper to rework his deal down to about $15MM/year in 2022 we would only be adding $5MM to our cap costs. This MIGHT work out if the market for Cooper for a trade is weak. Then the pick we might get in an Aghular trade might be close enough to the one we'd have to give up to get Cooper.

In the end, I'd pass. It's not a matter of Cooper's skills, but given the cost in Cap Space and draft picks, vs the skill AND the questions of his effort and drive, are just too big. Given that (and to rework a previous post) I'd rather give the $20MM to Jackson than Cooper. He might not be a true shut down CB, but I NEVER have to question his effort and drive.

 

[Toofy]

The way college and HS's play these days, there will be quality WR's coming into the draft EVERY year for the foreseeable future. Even now there will be very good prospects available through the end of the 3rd round.

As to Cooper, he's a guy a MIGHT be willing to look at if he were a FA. However looking at the cost of a high-ish draft pick AND $20MM/yr is way too high for a guy the Cowboys are supposedly looking to cut, There is no value in that trade regardless of how he's improve our WR room.

Now if a situation arises where you trade Aghular and his $10MM cap charge and get Cooper to rework his deal down to about $15MM/year in 2022 we would only be adding $5MM to our cap costs. This MIGHT work out if the market for Cooper for a trade is weak. Then the pick we might get in an Aghular trade might be close enough to the one we'd have to give up to get Cooper.

In the end, I'd pass. It's not a matter of Cooper's skills, but given the cost in Cap Space and draft picks, vs the skill AND the questions of his effort and drive, are just too big. Given that (and to rework a previous post) I'd rather give the $20MM to Jackson than Cooper. He might not be a true shut down CB, but I NEVER have to question his effort and drive.

Totally agree with this. The receiver talent is loaded in college and every receiver is working on the trade from 15 years if age and hence being more pro ready than ever. There was also a recent article talking about the receivers being more pro ready now than before. We did not invest in draft for wr and had a horrible flop in Harry that has left us scarred . But that shouldn't deter us from trying in 2nd and 3rd round . Defensive studs are rare to find . So draft high on defense and use the middle of the pack on offense. That's why we should try to get 5 picks in 40-100 range.

Tag JC.
Trade down from 21 to grab three picks in 40, mid 60s and 70

And
Draft Gordon(CB) -40
Draft Davis -60
Draft salyer(OT) - 60
Draft Metchie/ Watson/ skyy -70
Draft best available edge/ LB - 85

Then draft fast CB and WR with lower round picks and UDFA. Slade bolden as UDFA.

 

[Give Kraft A Hand]

Rather have Ridley. I get he had to step away last year but Cooper loves to go invisible at random times. If he's motivated and plays like when he first joined Dallas its a no brainer. If not then no

 

[SHOWTIME15]

 

[slash83]

I don’t buy the pats having great interest.

 

[PScottman]

"Bill Belichick sees him as a true No. 1 for Mac Jones, while Miami wants to add another downfield weapon alongside Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker."

Translation: BB sees this as an opportunity to drive up price for division rival.

 

[Sciz]

I'm not quite sure what to think about Schultz. This is a good example of how his reports are so oddly specific, to the point where he's either getting way better information than most other reporters or he's making it up. We don't even hear "true number 1" levels of analysis for most guys that they actually sign, much less guys who aren't even free agents yet.

There's also this, which is just plain embarrassing.

 

[203Pat]

I don't think we will pay anywhere near what Cooper is going to get on the open market.

 

[PatsFan2]

I don't think we will pay anywhere near what Cooper is going to get on the open market.

I think we can get Cooper for a year Double dip at WR hope someone or two pan out move on next year. This a good year to Draft a WR or two If Cooper have a good year he can hit the open market again and we can move on...IF that's not the Patriots way I don't know what is.

 

[203Pat]

I think we can get Cooper for a year Double dip at WR hope someone or two pan out move on next year. This a good year to Draft a WR or two If Cooper have a good year he can hit the open market again and we can move on...IF that's not the Patriots way I don't know what is.

If Cooper will play for a number closer to Agholor I think they could make it happen but if he is looking to stay in the $20 million range I don’t think we come close. Maybe we get lucky and Cooper signs a Juju Smith-Shuster type "prove it" deal for 1 year $8 mill(ish). No matter what we do I want a real outside receiver to help Mac grow and I think it needs to happen this offseason.

 

[VJCPatriot]

We can get a cheap WR or two n the draft....

LOL. Since when have we drafted any good WRs?

 

[PatsFan2]

If Cooper will play for a number closer to Agholor I think they could make it happen but if he is looking to stay in the $20 million range I don’t think we come close. Maybe we get lucky and Cooper signs a Juju Smith-Shuster type "prove it" deal for 1 year $8 mill(ish). No matter what we do I want a real outside receiver to help Mac grow and I think it needs to happen this offseason.

IF Amari Cooper wants $20 good bye brother we never knew you. Cooper has made a lot of $$$$ so that shouldn't be an Issue I think. I'm all for a one year rental and developing a guy or two for down the road. We need a Player on Offense who can scares people our current cast didn't and we sucked at Third Down conversions.

 

[PatsFan2]

LOL. Since when have we drafted any good WRs?

Don't even go there Brother it's too easy.

 

[Love The Drake]

Really dolphins looking at Cooper that’s a huge buzz kill I’m sure he would prefer the beaches of Miami.
I was reading the Patriots could have interest in Devante Parker.

 

[Sciz]

Really dolphins looking at Cooper that’s a huge buzz kill I’m sure he would prefer the beaches of Miami.
I was reading the Patriots could have interest in Devante Parker.

It's not just the beaches. Miami is his hometown.

 

[Love The Drake]

It's not just the beaches. Miami is his hometown.

Damn

 

[crawhammer]

"Bill Belichick sees him as a true No. 1 for Mac Jones, while Miami wants to add another downfield weapon alongside Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker."

Translation: BB sees this as an opportunity to drive up price for division rival.

If that happens - Cooper, Parker & Waddle - then you can slot the Patriots in for 3rd place for at least next season.

 

[Ross12]

I'm not quite sure what to think about Schultz. This is a good example of how his reports are so oddly specific, to the point where he's either getting way better information than most other reporters or he's making it up. We don't even hear "true number 1" levels of analysis for most guys that they actually sign, much less guys who aren't even free agents yet.

There's also this, which is just plain embarrassing.

I already thought Schultz was a nobody but this is awful. Wow. I would trust La Canfora over this dude.