I have a slightly different take. I think the pandemic may have impacted the draft regarding need. Without OTAs it will be difficult to evaluate your draft class and get rookies up to speed. The Pats had a range of needs and obviously still had to make their selections. So they take players at positions of relative scarcity in the draft (TE, interior line) and relative simplicity in their roles and forego wide outs in a year of historic depth at that position. Perhaps Bill realized that it will be harder to get wide outs ready in their complicated offense and harder to get players at these less common positions once teams start releasing veterans. Furthermore, you can limit the role of a safety more readily than you can of a wide out.
This was a historic year for receivers. So, with about 25 of these guys drafted and with less time to evaluate/indoctrinate them, teams will be in a bind. Do I cut my higher priced veteran or keep my young wideout? If they cut the veteran, Bill gets a shot at an experienced player who might be "serviceable" more rapidly in a year where there will be less time for offenses to train together. This might help stabilize an offense if, say, you have a second year quarterback who will be leading the team....