Go back the last 5 drafts, Players the Pats have picked between 32 and 72:
Ras-I Dowling
Shane Vereen
Tavon Wilson
Jamie Collins
Aaron Dobson
Dominique Easley
Jimmy Garoppolo
Malcom Brown
Jordan Richards
Cyrus Jones.
Of the 10 players, 3 contributed significantly, a fourth will likely yield a nice trade or will contribute hugely.
And maybe Cyrus Jones will come around. But how many years do you actually get out of a draft pick, even one this high? How many years are developmental (Cyrus Jones, Shane Vereen)?
How many players there do you think added, or will add, more to the Pats than Cooks is likely to add?
He's a 1st-level NFL receiver who is dirt cheap for the next two years, given his skill level, and has had two 1100+ yard seasons in a row on a team that spreads the ball around.
I get what you're saying here, but come on, it's very likely the Pats will need a separation receiver, a grade A receiver, in the next couple of years. Amendola is a spot player now, Edelman has been getting a lot of dings, Mitchell is still raw (though promising), and Hogan is what he is, which is pretty good as long as he's not the primary target.
The Patriots this year had several 1st rounders - Cooper, Long, McClellin, Floyd, none of whom gave their teams as much as Cook has produced (except maybe Long). These were top-half of the first round picks. Cooper was "can't miss."
I like guys who have shown they can play when it matters and with the big boys.
And I don't think Jimmy G is going to the 12th pick. I think the Pats want #1+ (and the Browns should do it).