Bedard: If the Patriots stay at No. 15 and go for a top talent, which players will be there?

You know the old adage when it comes to the draft — teams will overdraft quarterbacks because of the importance of the position. And that means more highly rated players at other positions will be pushed down to awaiting teams.

When Mitch Trubisky went second overall in 2017, CB Marlon Humphrey (Ravens) went 16th and CB Tre'Davious White (Bills) was picked 27th.

When Jared Goff and Carson Wentz went 1-2 in '16, that pushed down standouts in Ronnie Stanley (6th), DeForest Buckner (7th), Ryan Kelly (18th) and Kenny Clark (27th).

Over the years, the Patriots were able to get top-notch pros like Chandler Jones (21), Dont'a Hightower (25), Nate Solder (17), Jerod Mayo (10) and Vince Wilfork (21) thanks to teams passing on them for flashier positions.

If the Patriots stay at No. 15 in the first round of this year's draft and don't feel like one of the quarterbacks is worthy of that selection, which rare players could be available to New England when they normally might not be?

We asked an assortment of scouts and executives for their best bets to still be on the board at No. 15 that may have interest to the Patriots:

WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (5-10, 182, TBD): All around playmaker that returns punts and kickoffs as well. Great run-after-the-catch ability. Explosive like a Tyreek Hill but a much better playmaker than Henry Ruggs out of 'Bama last year to the Raiders.

CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama (6-2, 202, 4.46): Son of the former Pro Bowl Dolphins corner. Plays like his father — good fundamentals and a competitor with instincts. Scouts rave about his instant impact.

OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern (6-4, 304): Very low bust factor with a very smart player who can play just about anywhere on the line. Right tackle in '17 and '18, left tackle in '19 before he opted out.

LB Micah Parsons, Penn State (6-3, 245, 4.39): Tremendous physical skills but scouts worry about his overall play on the second level anticipating plays. Reminds some of former Clemson backer Isaiah Simmons, who didn't do much as a rookie for the Cardinals.

CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina (6-1, 205, 4.37): Son of former NFL WR Joe Horn. Physical corner who loves to play and can play inside and outside. Very tough mentally. Speed was surprising at pro day.

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Kormoah, Notre Dame (6-1, 215, TBD): Absolutely wrecks people as a tackler, plays way bigger than his size. Could be an elite cover player in the NFL but needs more discipline in his play for a complicated system like the Patriots. Might be too similar to Kyle Dugger.

LB/Edge Azeez Ojulari, Georgia (6-2, 240, 4.63): Led SEC in sacks and forced fumbles last season. Very productive player in a tough conference. Can play multiple positions from standup linebacker to on the edge. Unless he's an ILB, probably too similar to Josh Uche without the arm length.

OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech (6-5, 314): Tremendous feet and overall talent. Some question his drive and his nastiness in the trenches. That may just be because he makes it look easy.

CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech (6-2, 207, 4.3): High school quarterback hasn't come close to his ceiling. Back injury has scared some teams off. Excels at press coverage, which makes him ideal to a man team like the Patriots.

Edge Jaelan Phillips, Miami (6-5, 245, 4.56): Had some injury and off-field issues at UCLA to start his career but he's long and explosive and plays hard. Had eight sacks in 10 games last season. Would be perfect to groom behind Kyle Van Noy.

WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama (6-0, 170, TBD): Only knock on him is his speed, but he's a lot like Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Brown combined. Very flexible, tremendous athlete. Can play inside and outside. Patriots would love his versatility.