I think it would have also been far superior from a dramatic standpoint if there were some healthy skepticism in the film concerning the Death Star’s threat. Seeing a good contingent of the Rebels actually doubt that the Empire was capable of such a military threat, even dismissing it, would have been welcome. We have countless examples of how brilliantly that kind of drama worked in the originals, including not only Han’s skepticism of the Force, but also General Tagge’s skepticism in the conference room on the Death Star.
There is a whole scene where the Rebel council more or less dismisses Jyn’s claim that there is a Death Star and even if there was, what could they even do about it.