We didn't mortgage our future on EJ. We spent a first round pick (which we actually collected an additional second round pick which would eventually get us Lesean). Mortgaging a future is what the rams did for Goff or the skins for RG3
I think Whaley has put together a playoff caliber roster. The issue is coaching. You really think the NE roster would be a playoff team without belichik? I think it might be or might not be. But it certainly would not be a SB contender even with Brady without Bill. Coaching is what put teams over the edge. Whaley has honestly done a very good job with talent. Every single team has holes. And every single team has a lack of depth. Whaley has not done bad, it's just the coaches beneath him (who I don't think he wanted to hire) have not done enough with the team to make it successful