MELBOURNE will be patient with its interest in out-of-contract Adelaide defender Jake Lever, as the 21-year-old weighs up his future.

The Demons are believed to be one of the main suitors for the emerging Crow, who is yet to strike a deal with the ladder-leaders and may make his decision at the end of the season.

Melbourne has also reportedly met with the former Calder Cannons and Vic Metro product, with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood other clubs linked to him if he departs Adelaide.

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The Dees' recruiting manager Jason Taylor told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast a player of Lever's talent would be on its radar.

"If Jake indicated that he was looking to come home to Victoria, to his home state, like any player who would do that of quality, we'd certainly look at it," he said.

Melbourne is back in the early stages of this year's NAB AFL Draft, holding its first-round pick after trading its first selection for last year's intake.

The Demons are on the verge of their first finals appearance since 2006, sitting seventh on the ladder with games against the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood to come.

Taylor, whose first year in charge of the club's recruiting was 2013, is bullish about the talent available in this year’s draft pool.

"I think it's starting to take some shape and I don't mind it. There's some of those good medium/taller midfielders, there's a whole group of them and there's some smalls [as well]," he said.

"There's some key position players [but] probably not as much as you'd like.

"I think the draft's comparative to other years and I think, like we all do, you do the work and you'll find a player at some point."