If they pick 7th, they should still get a terrific player, but it'll be harder to get the QB they need even in the 2nd round.
Here's cbssports'
prospect rankings.
Here's how they rank OFFENSIVE players:
1. WR Harrison, Ohio St
2. QB Williams, USC
3. OT Fashanu, Penn St
4. TE Bowers, Georgia
5. QB Maye, UNC
6. OT Latham, Alabama
7. OT Alt, Notre Dame
8. WR Nabers, LSU
9. WR Coleman, Florida St
10. OL Fuaga, Oregon St
So the Pats could get a really good WR in Nabers or Coleman, even though those guys are ranked #13 and #16 overall by cbssports - so taking either of them at #7 would be a slight "reach", if anyone cares about that. But both of them are very, very good, and they play in big time programs. I wouldn't feel bad at all if either of them ended up in Foxboro.
They could also take an elite OT - three of them are ranked highly and good chance one of them falls to NE at #7 (their hypothetical draft slot in this thought experiment). Without grabbing one of the top QBs, this is how I'd go. Though let's be honest...Bowers at TE would be something BB would possibly do, right? He's obviously a very talented player and fits a need, especially if they aren't sold on either Henry or Gesicki. Bowers is an elite TE and could be an NFL star for years. And Bill loves his tight ends.
In the second round we'd be looking at pick #39. And according to cbssports' rankings, both Nix and Penix would at least theoretically be available, assuming teams follow these rankings (which they won't). So it's POSSIBLE for them to land an elite OT or WR in the first round and then grab a really good QB in the second. This is what I'd like them to do. But Penix is moving up the draft rankings pretty quickly so who knows.
Still, long story short is that if the Pats pick #7, they should still be able to get some really good talent.
Of course they'll take a guard or run-stuffing DT. LOL