e Tennessee Titans are a very attractive job for a head coach. They have a Hall of Fame defensive coordinator if they want to keep him, a low pressure environment with low expectations and a franchise quarterback. However, this job is even more important to a general manager.
Think about it, they will likely have a ton of money to spend in free agency, they will get to pick from essentially any coach they want, they don’t have any bad contracts going forward, and they get to enter the NFL Draft with with a top two pick without needing to get a quarterback. In all likelihood, they will get to take the person they feel is the best player in the draft which is a huge advantage for them.
So, with that in mind I thought it would be interesting to look at who NFL.com thinks the top GM candidates are. The full article is here, but this is their top 10 (listed in alphabetical order).
1. “Chris Ballard, director of football operations, Kansas City Chiefs: Could’ve had the Bucs job in 2014, was close in Chicago last year. Strong evaluator who’s waiting for a “true” GM job (with full power/responsibility).”
My thoughts: If he is truly waiting for a full power opportunity, this is it. Not only will he be instrumental in choosing head coach, he will also have a lot of leeway in who he wants to sign and what contracts he wants to give out.
Best signings/picks: Jeremy Maclin, re-signed Justin Houston, Marcus Peters (Pro Bowl rookie), Mitch Morse, Travis Kelce
2. “Nick Caserio, director of player personnel, New England Patriots: Caserio just signed a deal last year taking him through the rest of the decade. But that won’t stop others from asking — and Detroit or Cleveland might.”
My thoughts: It is so hard to separate what Bill Belichick does with what his personnel people do. Is Belichick making these players look good/great, or would they be good in any system? I don’t know, but if the Patriots want to keep him for the rest of the decade, then maybe this wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Best signings/picks: Rob Gronkowski, Jamie Collins, Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower, Danny Amendola, and Nate Solder.
3.” Eric DeCosta, assistant general manager, Baltimore Ravens: DeCosta’s flirted in the past, but is content to remain as Ozzie Newsome’s heir apparent. He thought about Chicago, and would only leave for a gold-standard job.”
My thoughts: I’m not sure about gold-standard, but if he has any interest in leaving ever, he isn’t going to find a job with more assets in place than this one.
Best signings/picks: Steve Smith, Kelechi Osemele, Justin Tucker, Ricky Wagner, C.J. Mosley, Timmy Jernigan.
4. “Brian Gaine, director of player personnel, Houston Texans: Organized, talented and Parcells-tree-connected, Gaine has become a trusted resource for Bill O’Brien. Interviewed in Miami, St. Louis, Chicago and New York.”
My thoughts: This is the first selection I don’t like. The Texans are a poorly built team. Old and bad on the offensive line, they had no back up plan for Arian Foster despite his injury prone past, one receiver that carries the team, defense that is constantly saved by J.J. Watt. I’m just not a fan.
Best signings/picks: Re-signed Watt, DeAndre Hopkins (continue reading)