I theorise Don Pyke likes players who are very good at something, rather than players who are OK at everything.
Define a role which relies on certain strengths, find a player who is very good at the strengths required for that role.
Classic example of someone valuable in this structure is Seedsman. Very long kick, can move the ball a long way quickly.
Classic example of someone lesser valued in this structure is Kerridge. Good at lots of things, but not amazingly good at anything except arguably accumulating a lot of the ball.
In Pyke's appearance on Talking Footy, he was (apparently) one of the few coaches who identified they would take Jesse Hogan over Jake Stringer. Stringer is the more rounded player ("the package"), but the things Hogan is good at, he is better at than Stringer.
He backs himself to provide a formation with clear roles which depend upon specific strengths for each role.
I would expect the players we target in trades are very good at 1-2 things, but not getting a game consistently for their current club due to not being sufficiently rounded.
Can't see us chasing someone like Jack Steele, at least not for an early draft pick. Not clear what 1 thing he does at a very high level.
On the other hand Lachie Neale fits this model perfectly, if we have a spot for an inside midfielder. We see Matt Crouch already used in a way which maximises his ability to win contests but puts the ball in other hands for delivery forwards. Brutal list management would suggest if we can bring in Neale, we choose not to renew Thompson, or alternatively if we lose B Crouch.