Theoretrically? No, it doesn't matter. The whole concept behind a dropaway is the fact that the rest drops down before the fletchings contact it.

However, this is not always the case. Sometimes you may have to try cock-vane up, down, left, right, etc to get perfect flight. Fletchings may be hitting on the cables or so forth.

A common misconception I read is that some think a dropaway should drop as soon as the the release is triggered. Not true, the rest still has to guide the arrow but then drop before the fletchings contact it.

I would take the rest if your buddy was going to give it to you. Good deal.