Bill Belichick once again played it close to the vest in his pre-draft press conference with the media on Monday. However he indirectly acknowledged that the team will draft a quarterback in next week’s draft.

Belichick started the conference call by addressing Tom Brady’s departure from the organization after twenty years. He said it was impossible to sum up what Brady accomplished in twenty seasons in one press conference.

Belichick followed that up by talking about how the offense was centered around Brady’s skill set during his time here. Belichick mentioned that the organization would take the same approach with his successor.

When asked his thoughts on this year’s quarterback class, Belichick hit on several different points. He feels it is a deep, talented and experienced class that is well versed in multiple offensive systems.

Belichick is usually pretty tight lipped about players in the pre draft process. He was more forthcoming than usual about this quarterback class. Given the circumstances, there is no doubt the Patriots will draft a quarterback at some point next weekend.

The question is, when? I still don’t see Belichick paying the type of capital it is going to take to move up. So unless a quarterback they like in the first round drops to them, they are more than likely going to wait until day two or three to draft a quarterback.

The names to keep an eye on are Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, Georgia’s Jake Fromm, FIU’s James Morgan, Washington State’s Anthony Gordon and Colorado’s Steven Montez are all potential targets from rounds three to five. James Madison’s Ben DiNucci, Iowa’s Nate Stanley and Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke are possible late round targets.

The plan is to turn the reigns over to Jarrett Stidham but he still has to win the job. The Patriots want him to earn it. They also want another young quarterback on the roster that has the potential to possibly start in the future if Stidham isn’t the guy.

The 2020 quarterback class offers enough talent and depth that the Patriots could find a future starter. It’ll be interesting to see who that quarterback is.