Is it that they can't spot wide receiver talent, or is it that BB doesn't want to put up with the selfish deva BS that comes with so many of them?
I think part of the impression that the Pats are "bad at spotting WR talent" derives from an unwillingness to think about each prospect individually, rather than just as their "drafted as" positional designation.
For example, prospects like PK Sam, Brandon Tate and Bethel Johnson were drafted primarily as returners who the Pats were hoping to be able to develop into viable pass-catchers (BB actually said as much about Johnson).
Matthew Slater never played WR in college - he was primarily a special teams player who had filled in at DB occasionally. Obviously, Edelman wasn't a WR in college. Both of these guys were "drafted as" WR, but possibly for no other reason than the team is required to include a positional designation on the card that goes up to the podium.
Then there are the injuries. Malcolm Mitchell was obviously a "risk pick" due to his injury. Chad Jackson (a projected 1st-rounder with no injury history) showed at least some developmental potential as a rookie, but then he blew out his knee in the post-season and never recovered from it, so we never got the chance to find out what he might have become.
All of these guys are lumped together with 7th-round longshots (who might as well have been UDFAs) like Lucien, Gallon and Ebert to support the pre-emptive, forgone conclusion that "the Pats suck at drafting WRs." Berrios (late 6th round) has almost certainly been in corporated into the insurmountable pile of "evidence".
None of the above context matters to the folks who are absolutely convinced of the conclusion. Same with the notion that
just maybe it would make sense to compare the Pats draft record with "WRs" to those of the other 31 teams. Offering up context, the suggestion of more thorough research, and a balanced perspective are merely "excuse-making".
No, no, no, no!! Can't have any of that! "The Pats Suck At Drafting WRs" is a FACT, it's THE TRUTH!! La, la, la, la ... I cn't hear you!
IMHO, the whole thing is just irrational.