New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft sad that while the Patriots could trade back from the No. 3 pick, he stlll wants them to end up with a top QB in the draft. (AP file photo)

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has spoken.

And he wants a quarterback.

Kraft, talking with the media as he usually does at the March NFL Owners Meetings in Orlando, Fla., said that when next month’s NFL Draft is done he expects a young quarterback of the future to be on the Patriots roster.

Somehow, some way.

“In the end, you can’t win in this league consistently unless you have a first-rate quarterback and a first-rate coach,” Kraft said yesterday. “We’ve never been in the third draft position since we’ve owned the team. What happens is a lot of people are desperate to move up. So we’re going to be open to whatever may come our way. But in the end, I’ll let the team make the decision what they think is best.

“One way or another I’d like to see us get a top rate young quarterback.”

There you go. Kraft also addressed the lack of big name free agent signings, but he felt that keeping the players that were their own was a big key. As for missing out on receiver Calvin Ridley, who went to Tennessee, Kraft, without naming him, said it was a matter of location.

“There was one outstanding receiver that unfortunately we couldn’t close,” he said. “It was not because of finance; clearly his girlfriend wanted to be in the south, and we were in a situation where the taxes were 10 percent higher (in Massachusetts). We wanted to keep going at that premium, but he didn’t want to be in the northeast. And part of it might be the quarterback situation as well.”

Kraft doesn’t blame Wolf, and likes the job he’s done so far.

“The major decisions in life that I’ve made I’ve gone with my instincts,” Kraft said. “Sometimes people don’t agree, but I think Eliot has good training, good pedigree, and we actually have a good group of young people.

“We’re starting new chapters in our development as we evolve here, and I like the young people we have doing this. We were in an environment previously where everything funneled to the top. Maybe some of the young people who have worked real hard didn’t get a chance to get their positions heard or didn’t speak up as much. … The combination of Jerod (head coach Mayo) and Matt (Groh)and together with Eliot – I’m actually excited with what I’ve seen.

Kraft said further impressions of the setup will be made during the draft.

“We’ll evaluate after the draft,” he said, “see how that’s gone and decide where we go from there.”

Overall, what are Kraft’s expectations? Last year, he wanted to make the playoffs and win a playoff game. Obviously, the team won only four games, made sweeping changes, and that might not be the goal.

“My hope and expectations is to make the playoffs,” he said. “That’s something realistically, we have a new leadership team, a lot of young players, we don’t know,” he said. “A lot can happen. We might struggle more than I want … I really feel we have a good young team… In the end, everything is chit-chat until you get on the field.”

Kraft also talked about how players will be available after the draft, and with waivers, the Patriots are in a high claiming position.

“But in the end, the bottom line is, how do we do game day, and wins and losses.”

Kraft talked about a couple of other issues. One, concerning the NFLPA’s bad survey review, said that there’s a plan to construct a whole new facility next to Gillette Stadium worth “in excess of $50 million” that presumably would address some of the concerns like he weight room, etc. “And the day care issue, that’s fixable,” he said, “and we want to do it. Look, the players are the heart and soul of the business.”

Kraft also was asked about the criticism of the recently posted documentary “The Dynasty” and whether he agreed with how critical some have been.

“I really liked the first three episodes,” he said, “but I felt bad there was so much emphasis on the controversial and let’s say challenging situations over the last 20 years. I wished they had focused more on our Super Bowl wins and our 21-game win streak…Real disappointed there wasn’t a more positive approach.”

Of course, it was a Kraft production. He was also asked about the treatment of Bill Belichick.

“I feel so privileged we had Bill here,” Kraft said. “We hope when he’s finished we’re going to have a chance to honor him the way we will do with Tom Brady. … I look forward to the privilege of putting Bill in the Patriots Hall of Fame one day in the future.”

Newsletter