The New England Patriots lack a succession plan for Tom Brady and Robert Kraft is aware that a quarterback will have to be drafted soon.

"I'm going to put my fan hat on, and obviously at some point we have to," Kraft said. "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.

"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."

Since taking Brady in 2000, the Patriots have drafted eight quarterbacks. The highest of those selections was Jimmy Garoppolo, who was taken in the second round in 2014.