It’s entirely possible the Patriots see what most of us do.

A quarterback class largely devoid of starting talent, with mid-round prospects about to be sucked into the vacuum that is the top of the draft where quarterback-needy franchises can’t stop themselves from reaching for unworthy talent and restarting the miserable life cycle all over again. Then again, assuming what the Pats believe or what they will do come draft weekend is a football fool’s errand. You know how the saying about assumption goes.

It’s doubly true with the Pats.

Plus, they don’t need a starter — yet. New England can afford to pick a developmental passer and groom him behind Tom Brady for a season, two or maybe three. So weighing individual film study, the latest mock draft projections and an understanding of the traits the Patriots value most when evaluating quarterbacks under Bill Belichick, here are the five prospects most likely to land in Foxborough after draft weekend.

5. Duke’s Daniel Jones

(AP Photo/Ben McKeown)AP

2018 stats: 60.5% comp. pct., 22 TDs, 9 INTs

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 221

Projected draft position: 1st round

Patriots thought: Per most mock drafts, Jones should be long gone by the time New England makes its first selection at No. 32 overall. Jones projects as the classic mid-round talent taken too early. But if Jones does fall and the Patriots happen to be smitten with his strong quick game, perhaps they make a move to go get him.

4. Washington State’s Gardner Minshew

Minshaw

2018 stats: 70.7% comp. pct., 4,776 yards, 38 TDs, 9 INTs

Ht/Wt: 6-1, 225

Projected draft position: 6th-7th round

Patriots thought: Widely accepted as the worst prospect on that list, Minshew also checks a lot of Patriot boxes. Tough and armed with a quick release, he’s reportedly a strong leader who won over the Cougars’ locker room in his only season as a starter. He’s been knocked for playing within a simplistic Air Raid offense and throwing erraticly when forced to compete passes outside the framework of that system.

Then again, Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo led similar attacks in college. Minshew may just need time — as they did — to prove he’s more than experts believe.

3. N.C. State’s Ryan Finley

Former North Carolina State quarterback Ryan Finley rolls out to pass during the first half of a game against Florida State in the 2018 season.AP

2018 stats: 67.4% comp. pct., 25 TDs, 11 INTs

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 213

Projected draft position: 3rd-4th round

Patriots thought: Another accurate transfer who garnered instant respect in his new locker room, Finley had Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio on hand at his Pro Day. The issue with Finley is his consistently poor performance under duress. If New England’s staff believes it can fix that aspect of his game, Finley’s other traits should have him on the team’s draft board.

2. West Virginia’s Will Grier

File-This Nov. 17, 2018, file photo shows West Virginia quarterback Will Grier throwing a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla.AP

2018 stats: 67% comp. pct., 3,864 yards, 37 TDs, 8 INTs

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 217

Projected draft position: 2nd-3rd round

Patriots thought: Grier the gunslinger earned the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade of all quarterbacks in this class last season. He’s the most physically gifted prospect on this list, and by far the best deep-ball passer. Grier can be hit-or-miss under pressure, but his accuracy within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage is consistently on point.

Overall, Grier straddles the line between developmental prospect and potential starter who would be No. 1 here if not for ...

1. Boise State’s Brett Rypien

Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien (4) warms up before the First Responder Bowl NCAA football game against Boston College Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, in Dallas.AP

2018 stats: 67.3% comp. pct., 3,705 yards, 30 TDs, 7 INTs

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 210

Projected draft position: 4th-5th round

Patriots thought: We broken down Rypien’s fit in Foxborough here. It’s near seamless.

If there’s one quarterback prospect to bet on becoming a Patriot this week, it’s him.