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.