07-08-2021, 08:33 PM
Who is the best general manager in the NFL?
It’s a simple question, but the answer is much more complicated. There is no standard by which GMs are graded. There is, however, a curve. It’s a “what have you done for me lately” league. Those GMs who are currently presiding over winning teams (i.e. Jason Licht, Brett Veach) tend to get a pass on past mistakes (like drafting a kicker in the second-round who flamed out immediately).
What we’ve tried to do at The Draft Scout is take away recency bias and perception. We’ve looked at longevity, coaching hires, trades, free agency and of course selections made in the NFL draft to determine which GM is the best.
But this is a power ranking, which means these are meant to be updated and changed. It also means some of this ranking (arguably a lot of it), is based on the author’s view of the moves the GMs have made. The ultimate goal, though, is an unbiased and objective look at the league’s top decision-makers.
Here’s our look at the top 10 GMs in the NFL, with the full list available Wednesday June 23.
*GMs with less than two seasons on the job are not yet ranked. They’ll be listed in the full version.
7. Rick Spielman, Minnesota Vikings
Best Move: Justin Jefferson
Worst Move: Laquon Treadwell
First Year on Job: 2012
Rick Spielman doesn’t get enough credit for the team he’s built. Sure, you can say they’ve overpaid for Kirk Cousins, but that move instantly made the team capable of contending in an NFC North that has been home to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers).
Spielman also built a dangerous wide receiver corps (twice), rolled the dice and landed one of the NFL’s best running backs (Dalvin Cook) in Round 2, and has otherwise paired well with head coach Mike Zimmer to keep the defense competitive outside of last season.
Spielman may not have a signature move that elevates his status in the eyes of fans, but selecting Justin Jefferson in 2020 could ultimately be that transaction Spielman becomes known for.
https://www.thedraftscout.com/p/nfl-gm-p...the-top-10
It’s a simple question, but the answer is much more complicated. There is no standard by which GMs are graded. There is, however, a curve. It’s a “what have you done for me lately” league. Those GMs who are currently presiding over winning teams (i.e. Jason Licht, Brett Veach) tend to get a pass on past mistakes (like drafting a kicker in the second-round who flamed out immediately).
What we’ve tried to do at The Draft Scout is take away recency bias and perception. We’ve looked at longevity, coaching hires, trades, free agency and of course selections made in the NFL draft to determine which GM is the best.
But this is a power ranking, which means these are meant to be updated and changed. It also means some of this ranking (arguably a lot of it), is based on the author’s view of the moves the GMs have made. The ultimate goal, though, is an unbiased and objective look at the league’s top decision-makers.
Here’s our look at the top 10 GMs in the NFL, with the full list available Wednesday June 23.
*GMs with less than two seasons on the job are not yet ranked. They’ll be listed in the full version.
7. Rick Spielman, Minnesota Vikings
Best Move: Justin Jefferson
Worst Move: Laquon Treadwell
First Year on Job: 2012
Rick Spielman doesn’t get enough credit for the team he’s built. Sure, you can say they’ve overpaid for Kirk Cousins, but that move instantly made the team capable of contending in an NFC North that has been home to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers).
Spielman also built a dangerous wide receiver corps (twice), rolled the dice and landed one of the NFL’s best running backs (Dalvin Cook) in Round 2, and has otherwise paired well with head coach Mike Zimmer to keep the defense competitive outside of last season.
Spielman may not have a signature move that elevates his status in the eyes of fans, but selecting Justin Jefferson in 2020 could ultimately be that transaction Spielman becomes known for.
https://www.thedraftscout.com/p/nfl-gm-p...the-top-10