I’m with you most of the time on it being a team game not a god QB, and Oline over shiny hood ornaments but judging a draft based on every other rookie in history is a crazy take. You can only draft who is available and just because Campbell would have been the 4th OT taken last year doesn’t change he is the consensus #1 this year. You admit to having not evaluated the class yet so listen to those who have. Every single player likely to be available at #4 has a question mark, a flaw, a potential reason they will bust. There are exactly 2 “A+” players and a QB that’s going to be drafted top 5 on hopes, prayers, and sadly no one better.
That leaves the Patriots in the unenviable position of getting first choice in a tier of players that are all equally questionable. Some don’t care about Tet’s lack of speed and consistent production, others like myself call it a deal breaker and wouldn’t draft him in the top 12. For some 4 years of elite production against the best the country offers outweighs Campbell’s holy crap historic small wingspan. Why draft an 8/10 RB when there are about (20) 7/10 RBs further down in the draft? Graham has some great stats and athletic ability but came in 30 lbs underweight, plus played next to a behemoth monster so how good will he be really? My personal favorite, after having watched tape, is a 20 year old dancing bear with feet that made me say wow multiple times, not to mention several nasty pancake blocks. Problem is Membou has only ever played RT. Can he make the switch? 20 is pretty young so that’s a gamble I am willing to take but plenty of players are one side only, wiping your ass with your left hand and all that.
Point is saying “there is always an A+ player at #4, just maybe not at a position of need” is not true this year. The Patriots just have first choice in a tier of question marks.