There seems to be a disconnect between the New England Patriots' perceived needs and actual needs.
Prior to the 2016 NFL draft, the general consensus stood that the Patriots had holes to fill at running back and offensive tackle. One could argue that the perceived hole at tackle was not due to any concerns about the talent at the top of the depth chart, but rather at the depth behind them.
Backup tackle Marcus Cannon struggled when called upon in 2016. The Patriots' tackle depth was ripped to shreds by injury in 2015, when Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer and Cameron Fleming all missed time with injuries.