What helps you win more?
Let's take this example for instance. Antonio Brown's contract is worth on average 16.7M / yr.
- Steven Nelson - 8.5M
- Mark Barron - 6M
- Donte Moncrief - 4.5M
Ok, a little more expensive here, but 19M is still in the range of near 17M.
Pay AB and there's no denying you get superstar production. Good for 1400 yds, and 8TD's let's say on average.
Now scenario 2, you get 3 serviceable players. We add 2 players on defense, who aren't superstar status, but both should become instant starters at need positions (CB, Mack ILB). This defense has had a reputation for not allowing many yards, but being able to force any turnovers. We bring in 2 players that both have a knack for forcing turnovers. Win on defense for sure. Moncrief put up 668 yds and 3TD's last season with Blake Bortles as his QB. His production should be higher with Ben throwing to him. Let's say having Ben increases his production 15%. He should be our #2 or #3 WR (depending on Washington's development) and get us 768yds and 3-4 TDs. Possibly higher, this is just a conservative estimate.
So I guess the point I'm making, is what helps you actually win games? Paying the superstar in this case, will without a doubt give you the offensive production. However, the cap space from this one player alone, leaves holes at important positions that can, and will, be exploited by a good offense or coach. In scenario 2, you don't have that dynamic home-run hitter like AB, but you have an overall more balanced team with less weaknesses overall.
Anyway this is more of a rant, but does anyone really think we're that much worse off without AB or Bell and their big contracts? I think this team can be surprisingly good next year if our FA pickups live up to their billing and become starters. Moncrief preferably being a #3 because I want Washington to succeed, but in today's NFL, a #3 WR is considered to be a starter.