Keep in mind...we won't lose the fourth if we sign someone whose contract voided or who got released. We aren't necessarily out of crap-market free agency.
Honestly, I am not really sure holding onto a 2026 fourth rounder is worth NOT signing someone you really want, much less possibly a few someones.
I thought signing anyone counted in the comp picks calculation as a FA gain (except for RFAs and draftees), no matter how the become an FA, but releasing them wouldn't count as a FA loss (only expired contracts). Not sure about voids.
Edit: NVM its not the case. This only applies to CFAs "compensatory free agents", whether they are gained or lost. CFA excludes anyone released, only expiring contracts. And also excludes any RFAs as they are compensated in another matter if the team tenders them.
I'm not sure Cooks would even qualify anyway as he wasn't within the "top 50%" of league players in the prior year.