How do you know he hasn't fully recovered his first step? They've had doctors examine him. What have you got?
I agree, in situations like this you have to trust they have done their homework. Does it mean they are always right, nope, but they have the information and we don't. I like Easely and i am fine with the pick but they are definitely sticking their necks out, especially after the Ras I-Dowling experience. I am guessing that when they looked at the risk/reward and compared it with the other players they were looking at they felt he was worth the chance, as Nix, ASJ, Hagemann, and others also had risks associated with them. I'm still hopeful they can re-position themselves for one of the players we were hoping for but we will see?
And as far as looking for proof that Belichick is changing the metrics for his defenders this certainly goes down as evidence he is trending that way.