Like I said--it's a controversial subject and it'll remain that way until the conclusion, so I expect a lot of arguing back and forth within the next couple of weeks. That's something I seriously want to avoid. There's just no reason for it, especially since we really don't know 100% either way. There's actually a chance that Belichick may not know 100% just yet.
As far as "bringing along a player slowly," I think it happens more than we'd think. There have even been plenty of times that a first round pick was chosen in the hopes of slowly giving him some reps throughout the first season and blending him into the organization in the hope that he'd contribute in the second year. Just look at projects such as Jake Ballard or Marcus Cannon, who were both selected to be slowly brought about. Hell, even a backup QB choice is often brought in under this scenario. There have been many players who are "developmental," and aren't expected to perform for a year or more. Just about most offensive lineman who go through the Dante school of hard knocks would fall into this category too.