One of the hot topics over the last week has been a scenario in which a team like the Patriots pursues Steelers receiver Mike Wallace, a restricted free agent who is expected to receive a first-round tender.

Any team signing Wallace to an offer sheet would have to give up a first-round draft choice, and a big enough/creatively structured contract for Wallace to sign and the Steelers not to match.

If you were Bill Belichick, would you do it?

That's a topic that Matt Bowen of the National Football explores today.

"With rookie WRs, you never know what you are going to get. Can they beat press-man, separate down the field, win vs. NFL DBs and transition (quickly) to the pro game? Too many questions for me if I have the opportunity to bring in a proven NFL talent like Wallace. That’s real value," Bowen writes. "We still have to see how this plays out with the Steelers first. But if Wallace isn’t signed to a long-term deal in Pittsburgh, then he might be the best option for teams looking to add a WR that can come into camp and produce on day one."

This topic was touched upon in Tuesday's Patriots mailbag on ESPNBoston.com, and why I view it as a longshot for the Patriots at this time (would probably have to choose Wallace over Wes Welker). Different perspectives on Wallace were also shared, including one from Pittsburgh that caught my attention.

It's interesting to consider a scenario like this.