Who would you take at #9 in this scenario

You're forgetting those players are significantly better blockers.

There's still plenty of guys paid less that are just better. We definitely paid him on potential.

I think he's in the range, but sure they are paying him somewhat based on potential. They are also paying the tax for not having any other real options at TE because they have missed on the position in the draft and they they only had one complete TE and he probably won't be ready for the season. But it's not a huge amount over and it's not going to stop them from doing anything they want to do for the next 3 years.