Kraft: Patriots 'obviously' must consider drafting QB

The New England Patriots strayed from their usual preparation at the quarterback position in 2017 by trading both Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo.

With only veteran Brian Hoyer signed behind Tom Brady for the 2018 season, owner Robert Kraft expects the team to address the position in April's draft.

"I'm going to put my fan hat on, and obviously at some point we have to," Kraft told ESPN's Mike Reiss at this week's owners meetings in Orlando.

"Not just that, but think what happened in the '08 season when in the first quarter against Kansas City, Tom (Brady) goes out. How many people would have said that Matt Cassel would have led us to an 11-5 season? I put my faith and confidence in Bill (Belichick). He knows his responsibilities. Anything can happen, even if Tom comes in (and is in) tip-top shape."

Cassell was taken in the seventh round of the 2005 draft. He attempted just 39 passes over his first three seasons but in 2008 he was required to play in all 16 games in Brady's stead. Brissett and Garoppolo were selected with a third- and second-round pick, respectively, in recent years.

Brady, 40, has shown no signs slowing down, but Kraft stressed how the nature of the NFL requires teams to be prepared for a worst-case scenario.

"Part of why the networks pay us the funding they do, and the reason this is the best entertainment product in America, is you don't know - one play can change a whole season. One play with one person. To do a good job managing an NFL franchise, we've always said understanding quality depth management, that's our business," Kraft said.