The Patriots' quarterback position is among the most discussed topics in the entire league ahead of the NFL Draft.

How will things look without Tom Brady? Who will be the starter -- Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer, or someone else? And will the team select a quarterback in the draft?

Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show this week, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said he believes the team will use a "premium" pick on a quarterback next week.

“I would say the Patriots are very firmly in the quarterback mix," he said. “They’re just so far back, so I’m having trouble figuring out, like, what are they actually going to do? Because they’re up in the 20s (No 23 overall). Jordan Love sliding into the teens and them grabbing him is a scenario that I’ve thought a lot about. They also had some success with Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round, so maybe they try to repeat that.”

Rapoport added: “The Patriots are going to take a quarterback, probably with a premium pick. I would just imagine it’s not at a pick they currently have.”

The Patriots currently have the pick at No. 23 overall, no second-round selection and then three in Round 3.

Additionally, he said he expects Hoyer, not Stidham, to be the starter.

“My guess right now is Brian Hoyer is the starting quarterback of the Patriots in 2020, but I think that is something that will be ever-evolving as we get through next season,” Rapoport said.

The NFL Draft will take place next Thursday-Saturday.

After the Top 4 QBs are selected, where do the rest shake out? And could the #Patriots make a move for Eason, Fromm or Hurts?@nflnetwork @RapSheet shared what he's been hearing just 9 days before the #NFLDraft: pic.twitter.com/Z1wC4whKzH — Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 14, 2020

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