Possibly a bit harsh on reflection - I think its more that there are few that he would have been an automatic choice for.
His peak as a bowler was around 2006-9. Australia in that period had Warne and MacGill, England Giles, Panesar and then Swann, South Africa Botha and Harris, Pakistan Kaneria and Ajmal, India Harbhajan and Kumble, Sri Lanka Murali, Herath etc. He would be far closer to the bottom than the top of that list...
Warne - Warne obviously
MacGill - Was over the hill by that time.
Giles - Vettori clearly
Panesar - better than in all ways aside from rag
Swann - I'd give it to Swann
Botha and Harris - Vettori better than both.
Kaniera - Vettori better for me.
Ajmal - Bit later wasn't he? Late starter.
Harbajan - Done by his mid 20s, average bowler for the second half of his career.
Kumble - I'd give Anil the edge
Murali - murali obviously
Herath - Vettori has been doing the exact same thing for far longer with more strings to his bow.
Thus, I wouldn't put him closer to the bottom.