Wait, WHAT? Edelman dated Jerry Rice's daughter?!
I only found it out a couple months ago myself; I can't believe a bigger deal hasn't been made of it.
Anyway, I actually think people are underrating Eli Manning, Edelman, Welker, and frankly, Hightower's chances. Eli's won two QBs and has counting stats. Welker's stats aren't amazing, but he basically revolutionized the slot WR spot and he's the GOAT there. Compared to Randy Moss, of course he's not worth it. But in modern NFL terms, he's the best slot guy ever, and that means something.
As for Edelman -- clearly his counting stats don't add up but his postseason numbers are eyepopping and he had an iconic catch and has SB MVP... which leads me to Hightower. I think he's had some seriously iconic and huge plays in SB49 (Lynch tackle), 51 (Ryan sack to knock out of FG range), and 53 (and his total dominance across the board
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2019/2/6/18211917/donta-hightower-2019-super-bowl-mvp-hero-patriots-sack-jared-goff ), he's the defensive leader of all of those teams in a dynasty (and he missed SB52 where his team allowed 41 points), and he's a Captain. I think being THE GUY for 3 SB defenses gets you a long way.
(even better: High had the key strip sack in 51; Flowers had the sack you describe. not quite as good: not a captain this season, has been in the past)
I think you (and several people in this thread) are selling short just how hard it is to make the HOF. Only five players make it each year. It's the best of the best. It's hard to have perspective on the current guys while they're playing (especially days after a Super Bowl), but look at the key figures from the early part of the dynasty:
Ty Law: 2x All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowl, 3x champ, second-team All-decade, signature Super Bowl pick-six, changed rules for him, just enshrined (on his fifth try)
Richard Seymour: 3x All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl, 3x champ, first-team All-decade, the best defensive player Belichick has had in NE, not in yet on two tries
Rodney Harrison: 2x All-Pro, (weirdly only) 1x Pro Bowl, 2x champ, signature playoff moments all over the place (7 playoff INTs in 9 games in NE), 30 career sacks and INTs - not even a semi-finalist this year (top 25)
Hightower and Edelman are really more in the group with guys like Bruschi, McGinest, and Vrabel - key players who made huge contributions, had big playoff moments, were terrific players who got one or two Pro Bowl nods, and not remotely likely to make the Hall of Fame under the current rules / standards. I don't disagree with anything you wrote about Hightower, but what about that description doesn't apply to Bruschi, who has not come close?
Welker is more interesting because of his six-year run of statistical dominance, but his overall numbers don't compete with guys like Isaac Bruce (who has yet to make it). I don't know what to think of Eli; I assume he'll be pretty divisive and it will take him a while, if he does end up making it.