NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking the 10 Best GM Track Records
"Next on the clock," comes over the loudspeaker. There are now 15 minutes that can make or break a career. All the scouting, interviews and instincts must be utilized. A decision must be made.
"10 minutes left," is all the General Manager hears. A bead of sweat forms on his brow. His hands are becoming moist. He can feel his heart beat gaining speed. He has narrowed his choice down to three players.
"5 minute warning." With only two players left on his board, the General Manager picks up the phone to get approval on his decision. He now has visible sweat stains under his arms. He can no longer hold his drink without shaking. He can't remember the last time he was this nervous.
"And with the first pick in the NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select JaMarcus Russell." Bad decision GM. Very bad decision.
Here is a look at the best General Managers in the business. The ones that don't let the pressure get to them. The ones that constantly improve their team's chances at winning.
10. Mark Dominik, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 of 10
Best draft pick: Josh Freeman, QB
Everyone was a little surprised when Tampa Bay grabbed Josh Freeman with the 17th pick in the 2009 draft. Freeman was projected as a quarterback that would take a few years to fully understand the game. Freeman shocked the football world when he nearly led the Buccaneers to the playoffs in just his second season under center.
Dominik followed up his 2009 draft with Gerald McCoy in the first round of the 2010 draft. However, his best value pick came in the fourth round of that draft when Dominik drafted troubled wide receiver, Mike Williams. Williams became Freeman's main target and caught 65 passes for 964 yards. Williams also set the franchise record for touchdowns in a season with 11. Freeman and Williams appear to have a great relationship that should scare teams for years to come.
Dominik will shock some people to be on this list, but in his brief career as GM, he has made all the right choices. Tampa Bay is coming off a 10-win season and will be one of the better teams in 2011. Don't be surprised if Mark Dominik becomes one of the best GM's in the next few years.
9. A.J. Smith, San Diego Chargers
2 of 10
Best draft pick: Eli Manning, QB
I know what you are saying, "Eli Manning doesn't play for the Chargers." That is correct. Remember in the 2004 draft when Eli said he wouldn't play for San Diego. Remember when Smith ignored that demand and drafted Manning with the first pick anyways. Well, San Diego traded Manning to the Giants for Philip Rivers, a third-round pick in the 2004 draft (Nate Kaeding), a first-round pick in the 2005 draft (Shawne Merriman), and a fifth-round pick in the 2005 draft (traded). Although Manning has a Super Bowl ring, Rivers is clearly the more talented quarterback.
A.J. Smith is one of the most criticized General Managers in the NFL. He is the type of General Manager that will do whatever it takes to get who he wants. He would trade away his best player if he thought it would ultimately improve his team. Smith isn't afraid to move on draft day and it is also exciting to see what he will do each year in the draft.
Some people might not agree with how A.J. Smith runs the Chargers. There is, however, no doubting his ability to draft talent. Each year, Smith gets his team exactly what they need to be competitive.
8. Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Saints
3 of 10
Best draft pick: Jahri Evans, OG
Jahri Evans was expected to be a late round selection, but Loomis traded down in the fourth round to snag him. He's been selected to the last two Pro Bowls and been a member of the last two All-Pro Teams. Evans is regarded as one of the best offensive guards in the NFL. In 2010, he became the highest paid guard or center in the history of the NFL.
What makes Loomis so great is his ability to find talent late in the draft. Just like Evans, Marques Colston was another late round pick that made an instant impact. Often times finding talent in later rounds is just as important as finding talent in the first few rounds. Carl Nicks is another example of Loomis getting quality players in the later rounds. Nicks was picked in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.
Loomis might be best known for picking up talent through free agency, but he is no slouch on draft day either. There might not be a better general manager at making his late picks count.
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7. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys
4 of 10
Best draft pick: Emmitt Smith, RB
The all-time leading rusher wasn't even the first running back drafted in the 1990 draft. That honor went to Blair Thomas from Penn State. Thomas was picked second by the New York Jets, while Smith had to wait until the 17th pick to hear his name called. Smith is one of the best running backs of all time. In retrospect, it is probably safe to say that the Jets made the wrong decision.
Jerry Jones didn't just stop with Emmitt Smith either. Troy Aikman, DeMarcus Ware, Larry Allen, and Darren Woodson were all drafted by Jerry Jones. I'm not saying he is the best at drafting talent. He has certainly had some terrible picks over the years. Quincy Carter, Bobby Carpenter, and David LaFleur were all major flops in the NFL. The talent that Jones has drafted does outweigh the disappointments though.
Jones might be the most dis-liked General Manager in the entire NFL. There is no doubting his ability to draft talent and that makes him one of the best GM's in the game.
6. Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh Steelers
5 of 10
Best draft pick: Troy Polamalu, S
Some might argue that Ben Roethlisberger is Colbert's best draft pick, but I disagree. Polamalu is one of the best, if not the single best, defensive players in the NFL. He was the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and is often the best player on the field. Roethlisberger is great, but Polamalu is better.
Kevin Colbert is responsible for the majority of the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. He is fantastic at finding talent outside the first round. In fact, Mike Wallace, LaMarr Woodley, and Brett Kiesel were all drafted after the first round. Although he doesn't trade often, he makes it count when he does. During the 2001 draft, Colbert traded down three picks with the New York Jets. In return, he drafted Casey Hampton and received a fourth and sixth round pick.
The Steelers have been one of the best teams in the NFL for the past decade. That success has been directly related to Colbert's ability at drafting. Considering most of the Steelers are a direct result of Colbert, there is no doubting why he is one of the best.
5. Floyd Reese, New England Patriots
6 of 10
Best draft pick: Devin McCourty, CB
Devin McCourty is only one season into his professional career, but there is no doubting his ability. He was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last season. He was tied for second place in the league with seven interceptions. He also made the Pro Bowl and was picked to the All-Pro Team as a rookie. The future certainly looks bright for McCourty.
Floyd Reese will absolutely be higher on this list in future years. He is only two years into his current position and is already one of the best GM's in the NFL. It always seems like the Patriots have more picks in the draft than any other team and that is because of the genius of guys like Reese. He makes every pick count and that is why the Patriots are constantly talked about as the best team in the NFL.
Bill Belichick might have the final say in the draft for the Patriots, but Reese most likely does all the leg work. He has been in the NFL for a long time and knows this league like few others. The only reason he is this low on the list is because he has only been a General Manager for a couple of years.
4. Mike Tannenbaum, New York Jets
7 of 10
Best draft pick: Darrelle Revis, CB
Darrelle Revis is the best cover corner in the NFL. His statistics won't jump out at you, but that is because no quarterback is dumb enough to throw in his direction. He has been to the last three Pro Bowls and been a member of the last two All-Pro Teams. There is no doubt that those numbers will continue to increase through the years.
Mike Tannenbaum is one of the most aggressive GM's in the NFL. The Jets will never have the most draft picks during a draft, but they might get the most talent with their draft picks. He started his career with a bang in 2006, putting together one of the best drafts of the decade. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Eric Smith, Brad Smith and Leon Washington have all been major contributors during their careers.
The only major mistake that Tannenbaum has made is drafting Vernon Gholston with the sixth pick in the 2008 draft. Other than that, he has been fantastic at drafting talent for the Jets.
Tannenbaum is the reason for the recent playoff success for the Jets. He has drafted the key components on a Jets team that made it to the AFC Conference Championship last year. While the Jets will most likely have fewer picks than most teams, Tannenbaum will certainly make those picks count.
3. Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers
8 of 10
Best draft pick: Aaron Rodgers, QB
Rodgers was thrown into a difficult position when he became starting quarterback for the Packers. The Favre era was forced to end by Ted Thompson and Rodgers was the new quarterback in town. It took some time for Packer fans to get behind Rodgers, but he is now beloved by all cheese heads. He just led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory and is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Ted Thompson tied his career to Aaron Rodgers and it has paid off. He has been truly fantastic at drafting major first round talent. Rodgers, A.J. Hawk, B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews, and Bryan Bulaga were all critical to the Packers Super Bowl run. What is even more surprising is who Thompson has drafted in the later rounds. Greg Jennings, Nick Collins, Daryn Colledge, and Mason Crosby were all drafted outside the first round.
Thompson is also very willing to make a trade to grab a player that he must have. That is exactly what he did with Clay Matthews, trading up into the first round, and look at how good Matthews is now.
Ted Thompson put his career on the line when he let go of Brett Favre and handed the reigns over to Aaron Rodgers. No one doubts that decision now. Thompson has proven to be one of the best at getting the most talent with each of his draft picks.
2. Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts
9 of 10
Best draft pick: Peyton Manning, QB
Was there any doubt in your mind here? Peyton Manning is arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game. The decision to draft him was completely Polian's. Polian released Jim Harbaugh following the 1997 season and decided that the future was a kid out of Tennessee named Peyton. Peyton Manning is the best first overall pick in the history of the NFL Draft.
Peyton Manning, Edgerin James and Reggie Wayne were all drafted by Bill Polian. Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Bob Sanders were Polian's defensive anchors. Polian's draft picks throughout the years in Indianapolis nearly make up a Pro Bowl roster.
There are few GM's who have drafted as much talent as Polian. Even though he has technically given the job to his son Chris, there is no doubt that Bill is still the major factor in who the Colts draft.
When your draft picks read like a future Hall of Fame induction group, you know you are good at what you do. All that needs to be said about Polian is that he was smart enough to draft Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf.
1. Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens
10 of 10
Best draft pick: Ray Lewis, LB
Ray Lewis is quite possibly the most feared NFL player since Lawrence Taylor. There is no player that brings more to a team than Lewis. He is a lock to make the Hall of Fame and will go down as one of the best linebackers to ever play the game. He has been to 12 Pro Bowls and is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He also holds the record for most times being selected to an All-Pro team, with 10.
Ozzie Newsome is the best GM in the NFL. He never appears to have top picks like other GM's, but he gets the most talent with each of his picks. He rarely has a top-10 pick, but always seems to end up with top-5 talent. He is a master at scouting talent and the best at understanding player's characters. He rarely makes a mistake with his draft picks and has built a team with late first round talent. There are none that draft like Newsome.
When you have drafted players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Jonathan Ogden, and Jamal Lewis, it is hard to argue your status as the best GM. All Ozzie Newsome knows how to do is draft talent and there is no one better than him at doing it.
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