Yes, TFA was safe but so was Rogue One and they’re both good films. But lets not forget that JJ wrote the script as well so I’m sure a lot of the safe aspects of the film were due to him and Disney.
Rogue One is hardly “risky”, but it’s considerably moreso than TFA.
TFA is the blockbuster equivalent of Oscar bait; checking requirements off a list to ensure lots of money/awards.
Rogue One at least told an interesting story we hadn’t seen before.
TLJ will be very telling as to the general direction of new Star Wars. I’m willing to dismiss TFA as JJ’s fanboy vanity project if TLJ does anything worthwhile.