[One small quibble: I'd leave Daniher and Heeney out of this list - they were FS/Academy picks and in reality, top 3 picks in their draft year].
Some very good (potentially great) players there and I think I understand the point you are making - first rounders usually have a lot of upside potential and can go on to become superstars.
Often, that upside is overrated. I've rebuilt your list, but moved one pick earlier. It's hit and miss. Vlaustin is a very good defender, but may not make it as a midfielder. Guys like Tomlinson have only now become "first 22" players. Others have been delisted or are about to be. Too early to tell on the 2015 boys.
2009 Draft: Kane Lucas pick #12, Ben Griffiths pick #19
2010 Draft: Daniel Gorringe pick #10
2011 Draft: Billy Longer pick #8, Adam Tomlinson pick #9, Liam Sumner pick #10
2012 Draft: Nick Vlaustin pick #9, Josh Simpson #17
2013 Draft: Ben Lennon pick #12
2014 Draft: Lachie Weller #13, Kyle Langford #17
2015 Draft: Charlie Curnow pick #12, Matt Kennedy pick #13
If I had wanted to, I could have picked out a few "busts" from each year and claimed the draft produces garbage players. That would have been bad analysis.
The draft is a crapshoot, where an earlier pick is good to have but no guarantee of producing an elite player. If Richmond wants to win a flag with our current squad, we can consider trading away some potential (which will only be useful to us in season 2020 and beyond) for ready-made players who are a known quantity.
Forget the Salem trade. I just picked it up as an example. My broader point is simple: I'd trade potential in 2020 for a proven performer that fills a gap in 2018/2019. Good players fighting for spots with strong coaching can win a flag. Let's build that team, rather than hoping to draft the next Buddy Franklin.
Cheers.
Dave P.