Objectively, having the Predator visit Earth in the 17th century simply limits the potential universe building of the Predator series. Profit wise, means less means to rake in that cash and creative wise it confines the series into a corner. I mean if there was a film of a Predator hunting during the Mongol Invasion of Japan during the 12th century, people will line up to see it. Sure, someone can say samurai still existed in the 17th century too, but with the Mongols in a interesting time period of high conflict? Don't cork that bottle if ya know whats good for ya, but hey its the suits, they usually don't know good shit if it bit them in the ass