It can be viewed like that, but based on consensus there were indeed better players available, at the time. Sure, Arizona could've viewed Hayton as the best option for them, but it also goes to the fact that the draft in its entirety is a complete guessing game. Professional and amateur scouts can get it wrong, too. Most do what they can to project development based on their viewings. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes.
But I think what you’re describing is the whole point - BPA is subjective and varies by team.
The question isn’t whether a team goes with our BPA or a pundit’s BPA, it’s whether they go with
their BPA.
In my experience a team doesn’t pass their BPA for a positional need. How they decide on that opinion is another matter, and position could figure into the calculations, but I’ve never heard of a team passing on a guy they scored higher because they had a need elsewhere.
The might give rate that position highest because they think it has more value, and that might push a guy ahead, but I don’t think there are many instances where they’d take a center they ranked 8th with a score of 88, over a defenseman they ranked 4th with a score of 93.
I’m sure there are exceptions, but i gather they are probably fewer and further between than most realize.
