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Probably not, but I wouldn’t completely rule it out like I would offensive tackle or cornerback. The NFL is a quarterback league. You not only need an “elite” starter, but developing quarterbacks, like the Pats have done with Matt Cassell, Brian Hoyer and now Ryan Mallett, is also great business.

So if that one guy the Pats love and think really fits their system is there in the first round for the taking, I don’t think it’s impossible that they take him. They are about long-term winning, never about “going all in”.

I don’t know who that prospect might be of this year’s quarterbacks and I won’t speculate based on who I like. But if they have a high first round grade on a guy and he’s available I don’t think they would pass on him given the great value.

Here’s my thing about “needs”… every position is a need sooner or later, so if there’s a player you think will make an impact for your team, you have to take them.

The only two positions I would completely rule out in the first round are offensive tackle and cornerback. Every other position is theoretically on the table if the right player was there.

However, when you stack needs, value and the depth at various positions in this draft against each other, you get a bit of a clearer picture of what might the best options will be at the bottom of the first round.

As always, I’m a defensive front seven guy. I’ll take a DT, DE, or LB in the first round no problem. There could be a number of guys in those positions that fall and could represent good value.

I think the slightly outside the box pick is at guard, depending on the right guy falling. We’ve seen them take Solder and Mankins in the first round.

I firmly believe games are won or lost in the trenches and spending a first-round pick on a trenches player is a-okay with me.

So, in short, I think that this year’s draft matches up well with what the Pats need and they should have some options at 29, but also deeper in the draft, especially at center and more specialized pass rushing defensive ends who might not be fully developed yet, like Michael Buchanan was last year.