Gregg Rosenthal ranks the GMs

from NFL GM Power Rankings: John Dorsey, Kevin Colbert rank top 5

Gregg Rosenthal

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001027372/article/nfl-gm-power-rankings-john-dorsey-kevin-colbert-rank-top-5

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7

Les Snead, Rams 2
Snead’s two-year run since Sean McVay arrived is a reminder that teams can rebuild quickly. It remains to be seen how the Rams’ lack of high draft picks over the last two seasons hurts them long-term, but the notion that Los Angeles was Super Bowl or bust in 2018 never made sense. The Rams have as many core young players signed long-term as any team and have already shown a gutsy penchant for trades and flexible free-agent signings that bode well for the future. Snead is a prime example that sometimes general managers, like quarterbacks, just need a coaching change to fulfill all their potential.

6

John Schneider, Seahawks
While Schneider may never top his brilliant early run of draft picks, he and Pete Carroll deserve extra credit for keeping the Seahawks winning while transitioning away from “Legion of Boom” greats. They’ve done a smart job re-signing veterans at the right time, including with Russell Wilson’s recent megadeal. With that said, the last three draft classes have a long way to go.

5

Thomas Dimitroff, Falcons
The 2018 season went horribly awry in a number of ways for Dimitroff, but this rank attempts to take the longview, like general managers do. Dimitroff’s track record with two different head coaches is impressive, although it’s fair to question whether the Falcons have rewarded some of the wrong players lately. Devonta Freeman’s post-contract injuries are mostly bad luck, but cornerback Robert Alford’s extension proved premature and the organization’s continued loyalty to Vic Beasley hasn’t borne fruit. Still, there’s too much talent on this roster to stay down for long.

4

John Dorsey, Browns 13
After drafting Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, Baker Mayfield in Cleveland and then trading for Odell Beckham Jr., Dorsey has to be feeling like a God among men. (Dorsey was also rumored to once be set to draft Paxton Lynch before John Elway swooped in, so luck has plenty to do with legacy, too.) And while former GM Sashi Brown deserves some love for leaving so many picks behind, Dorsey’s 2018 draft and 2019 free-agent moves have been a masterclass in the instant rebuild. Following his quick turnaround of the Chiefs with Andy Reid, Dorsey’s track record is spotless. In a year-to-year league, a long-term overhaul is overrated.

3

Kevin Colbert, Steelers 1
This is a crucial year for Colbert — like it is for his franchise quarterback — to prove that his best days are not behind him. With Colbert serving as the Steelers’ decision-maker since 2000, only Bill Belichick has piloted more consistent success for an NFL team this century, with Pittsburgh suffering only one losing season during his tenure. Never a big spender in free agency, Colbert needs more drafts like his 2017 haul ( T.J. Watt, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner) to keep replenishing the team’s talent base. Despite using a lot of picks at the position, Colbert has never quite been able to find defensive backs that work in Mike Tomlin’s scheme.

2

Howie Roseman, Eagles 1
The Eagles are the model for today’s flexible front office, with Roseman leaning equally on traditional scouting (vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas) and analytics (VP of of football operations and strategy Alec Halaby). That approach shows up in the team’s emphasis on line play on both sides of the ball, along with an attitude in free agency that doesn’t fear uncertainty. The Eagles entered this offseason with major salary cap questions, yet found room to add DeSean Jackson, Malik Jackson, Jordan Howard and re-sign Brandon Graham and Ronald Darby without experiencing a roster bloodletting.

1

Bill Belichick, Patriots
It’s never just about one way of acquiring players for New England. Whether it’s the Pats’ stockpiling of compensatory picks or their league-leading use of “pick swap” trades, no team is more creative at filling in roster gaps. Belichick balances long-term planning with vital short-term veteran patches better than anyone. The Pats’ long-running reliance on trades and one-year solutions is being adapted by many teams around the league.