Mastering the NFL Draft

Analyzing the Top 3 General Managers in Player Selection

Michael Valenzano
April 18, 2024

T-7 Days until the 2024 NFL Draft

With the countdown to the NFL draft now just days away, the spotlight is growing on not just the prospects awaiting their fate but also the minds behind the selections. After delving into the profiles of the NFL draft prospects, this week’s focus shifts to the men who hold the keys to their future: NFL general managers.

In the NFL, 53 players split between 24 unique positions make up an NFL roster. The dynamic nature of the game ensures that success does not just hinge on the performance of these players but also on the strategic vision of the front office.

NFL general managers are tasked with assembling a roster that is capable of contending for championships year after year. GMs must navigate the complex landscape of player acquisition, contract negotiations, and, perhaps most importantly, the NFL Draft.

While player acquisition can happen via trade or during free agency, the NFL Draft serves as the lifeblood of every NFL franchise. It offers a critical opportunity to shape a team’s identity and lay the foundation for long-term success.

Within this high-stakes arena, a select few general managers have separated themselves from the pack as architects in roster building, adept at identifying and selecting the very best college talents who will form the backbone of their teams for years to come. In this article, we’ll delve into the track records of three such NFL GMs who will look to continue their success in the coming draft on April 25th.

Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions

Brad Holmes took over the Detroit Lions in January 2021 and immediately loaded up on draft capital by trading away quarterback Matthew Stafford. Since then, he’s made 22 draft picks between three different drafts and has quickly established himself among the league’s best at identifying talent.

Holmes’ first pick as general manager back in 2021 was offensive tackle Penei Sewell. The Oregon product, selected 7th overall, has been a key piece in the Lions rebuild. Sewell is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, a 2023 First-Team All-Pro selection, and was PFF’s highest-graded offensive tackle this past season. Since being drafted, Sewell’s presence on the Lions’ offensive line has been instrumental in fortifying their protective schemes in the run and pass game, both of which have been key factors in the team’s recent success.

In that same 2021 draft class, Brad Holmes hit a home run with the 112th pick in the draft, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Amon-Ra has been nothing short of dominant since entering the league, earning the same back-to-back Pro Bowl honors and 2023 First-Team All-Pro selection as his teammate Penei Sewell. The dynamic playmaker has defied all expectations and established himself as one of the most consistent pass catchers in the league.

Derrick Barnes and Ifeatu Melifonwu, also drafted in 2021, have seamlessly transitioned into starting roles on the Detroit defense. Their development has filled key positions that would otherwise have to be addressed in free agency at a higher cost.

Holmes followed up the 2021 draft with another incredible class in 2022, led by star pass rusher and second overall pick Aidan Hutchinson. The second-place finisher for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 continued his success in his sophomore season, adding himself to the list of pro-bowlers selected by Holmes. Jameson Williams, the 12th pick in the 2022 draft, is the most questionable pick by Holmes so far but has managed to up his production towards the end of the 2023 season.

Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez add themselves to the list of late-round picks turned starters for the Detroit Lions. Both Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez have played pivotal roles in embodying the culture instilled by head coach Dan Campbell and represent Holmes’ ability to maximize the team’s value with each draft selection.

In 2023, Holmes nailed his first four picks of the draft: running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell, tight end Sam Laporta, and defensive back Brian Branch, all four of whom were named to the NFL’s All-Rookie team, with Laporta and Gibbs also making it to the Pro Bowl. Along the way, Laporta set the single-season record for receptions by a rookie tight end. The collective performance of these rookies helped lead the team to an NFC Championship appearance, and the Lions will no doubt be competitive going forward.

In just three years as the Detroit Lions GM, Brad Holmes has transformed this roster through the draft. Out of his 22 selections, 12 have become starters, collectively earning 7 Pro Bowl selections. Holmes has solidified his reputation as a consistent and masterful evaluator of talent. His strategic approach has built a competitive team while also giving the team financial flexibility, leaving the Lions with more than enough cap space to retain their players and compete for years with a young roster.

Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles

Howie Roseman, who became the Eagles GM back in 2010, is regarded as the best general manager in the NFL. Roseman has kept the Eagles competitive for over a decade now, with two Super Bowl appearances during his tenure (LII & LVII).

General Managers acquire and retain players in other ways than just the draft, which is why Roseman is held in such high regard. But his track record in the NFL draft is impeccable. I won’t drag you through 13 years of draft picks, so I will do my best to highlight the most impressive selections he’s made.

In the sixth round of the 2011 class, Roseman selected Jason Kelce, the greatest center of our generation and a surefire Hall of Famer who just retired this past season. Kelce is a 6-time Pro Bowler and 5-time First-Team All-Pro.

The 2012 class included Fletcher Cox, a defensive tackle who earned All-Decade team honors and is an Eagles all-time great but likely won’t make the NFL Hall of Fame. This draft also included quarterback and future Super Bowl LVII MVP Nick Foles.

The 2013 class included Lane Johnson, who will enter his 12th season as the Eagles offensive tackle, has earned five Pro Bowl nods, two First-Team All-Pros, and will likely join Jason Kelce in the hall of fame after he retires.

In 2015, Howie Roseman drafted Carson Wentz second overall. The Eagles QB had a stellar start to his career, finishing third in MVP voting in 2017, before his career was unfortunately derailed due to injury.

Roseman’s 2018 class included players like Dallas Goeddert, who has been a top-10 tight end in the NFL for multiple seasons now; Josh Sweat, a key piece of the Eagles defensive front; and Jordan Mailata, who was selected 233rd overall. Mailata has been a premier offensive lineman who just signed a 3-year, $66 million extension that’ll keep him with the team until 2028.

Roseman also brought in quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver Devonta Smith, who were integral in bringing the Eagles back to the Super Bowl just a year ago.

Some other notable draftees of Howie Roseman’s include:

Brandon Graham, Defensive End, 13th Overall, 2010 Draft
Riley Cooper, Wide Receiver, 159th Overall, 2010 Draft
Zach Ertz, Tight End, 35th Overall, 2013 Draft
Jordan Poyer, Safety, 218th Overall, 2013 Draft
Rasul Douglas, Cornerback, 99th Overall, 2017 Draft
Landon Dickerson, Center, 37th Overall, 2021 Draft
Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, 9th Overall, 2023 Draft

Roseman’s career as the Eagles general manager has been defined by his ability to both identify exceptional talent through the draft and effectively retain those players within the organization. His roster management has led to the Eagles being one of the more stable organizations in the NFL, which will look to stay in Super Bowl contention going forward.

John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks

Similar to Nickelodeon’s Dan Schneider, John grooms the young and talented.

John Schneider was elected to the Seahawks general manager position in 2010 and, early in his career, had an unprecedented run drafting what would become some of the NFL’s best players.

In his first draft class, Schneider secured Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, both of whom would become leaders of the Seahawks “Legion of Boom” defense. He also picked up wide receiver Golden Tate, who became one of Russell Wilson’s favorite targets and an 11-year NFL pro.

The following year, in 2011, Schneider brought in K.J. Wright, Byron Maxwell, eventual Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith, and future Hall of Famer Richard Sherman. In 2012, he rounded out the Legion of Boom, drafting Bruce Irvin 15th overall and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner with the 47th overall pick. That same draft also brought the Seahawks their franchise QB and potential Hall of Famer, Russell Wilson. The 2011 and 2012 classes are two of the most franchise-changing draft classes of all time.

Schneider dropped a couple duds in 2013 & 2014 but got back to his usual pace in 2015, selecting defensive end Frank Clark and wide receiver Tyler Lockett with his first two picks. 2019 brought in D.K. Metcalf, a physical specimen who has produced 900+ yards in all five of his seasons.

Schneider has had a few down years, as most GMs do, but his past two drafts have been particularly special. Cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon both finished in the top five in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and combine to make one of the league's best duos at the position. Running back Kenneth Walker has been a great compliment to Seattle’s run game, averaging over four yards per carry in back-to-back years. And rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will likely have a long and successful career in the NFL, as he has been one of the most talented receivers in his class.

Schneider doesn’t hit on his picks as often as the previous two general managers, but when he does, he hits big. His picks have combined for 48 Pro Bowl appearances, 14 All-Pro selections, and 3 very likely Hall of Famers.

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