In other words, then, NE has always needed TEs under Belichick. (When was the last time he didn't draft a TE?)
Yes, obviously he thought he could do better than what he had.
Did he draft a TE high 3 years ago? 4 years ago? Graham, Watson and Thomas were the only high ones over the last 5 years that I remember. 2 of them are still on the roster and Thomas didn't get much playing time last year.