Playoffs
Hall of Fame
NFL general manager candidates: new names and familiar faces
By Albert Breer | NFL Media reporter
By Albert Breer | NFL Media reporter
The cycle has accelerated -- so fewer GMs are getting second shots at hiring coaches or drafting quarterbacks -- and there are more front-office folks in their late 30s and early 40s. That means the market for a new GM -- and there could be a half-dozen or so teams seeking one in a few weeks -- is more complex than it's been.
So with that in mind, we're presenting our candidates for 2015 in two groups: the second-chancers and the first-timers:
SECOND-CHANCERS
Mark Dominik, ESPN analyst: Was a Buccaneers lifer before being shown the door at the end of last season, so Dominik was part of a championship group early on, and built a team that still has young talent. His downfall as GM in Tampa Bay was striking out on his first draft pick -- quarterback Josh Freeman -- which seriously set the franchise back.
Tom Heckert, director of pro personnel, Denver Broncos: Something of a victim of circumstance in Cleveland, Heckert built the foundation for a contending Browns team -- and he sparkled as an evaluator prior to that in Philly. In Denver, the team's success in free agency says plenty about Heckert. He did have a DUI arrest in 2013.
Jeff Ireland, consultant: Last year, CBS Dallas did a study, based on games played and starts, that ranked Miami as the NFL's top drafting team from 2009 to '13. And Ireland drafted Ryan Tannehill between Robert Griffin III and Brandon Weeden during that run. He wasn't perfect, but he was better than you think.
Scot McCloughan, consultant: McCloughan left Trent Baalke and, later, Jim Harbaugh with an incredibly talented team that made three straight NFC title games in San Francisco, and was the right-hand man to Seahawks GM John Schneider as Seattle became a champion. The Raiders could be a fit here.
Scott Pioli, assistant GM, Atlanta Falcons: Pioli's time in Kansas City carried off-field drama, but the on-field cupboard he left Andy Reid was fairly full. He drafted or re-signed nine Pro Bowlers in K.C., and left the new regime with $20 million in cap space. It wouldn't be shocking if the Jets inquired here.
Mike Tannenbaum, coaching agent: A hard run at a title after consecutive AFC title game appearances left the Jets in a tough spot after his ouster, but got the team there in the first place and fostered an inclusive environment that people in that building have learned to appreciate in the two years since.
Brian Xanders, senior personnel executive, Detroit Lions: As Broncos GM, Xanders built the roster that lured Peyton Manning, with Demaryius Thomas among the franchise-level talents acquired. And in Detroit, he's spearheaded an effort to modernize the scouting operation and was part of a coaching search.
FIRST-TIMERS
Chris Ballard, director of player personnel, Kansas City Chiefs: Pulled his name out of the Tampa search last year, and will probably be the first guy on a few lists. Has extensive experience in both college and pro scouting.
Nick Caserio, director of player personnel, New England Patriots: Many took his Dolphins interview in January as a signal that he's ready to seriously consider leaving Foxborough. Instrumental in Belichick's recent Patriot makeover.
Eric DeCosta, assistant GM, Baltimore Ravens: Not a whole lot needs to be said about DeCosta, who has Ozzie Newsome's job waiting for him. It'd take a gold-standard gig (see: Giants) to pry him from that.
Brian Gaine, director of pro personnel, Houston Texans: Was a candidate for recent openings with the Rams, Jets and Dolphins, and is a trusted voice in the building of the new Bill O'Brien regime.
Tom Gamble, vice president of player personnel, Philadelphia Eagles: Carries a big stick as an evaluator for Chip Kelly, and played a major role in the Niners' recent revival. The Jets interviewed him in 2013 and could circle back.
Will McClay, assistant director of player personnel, Dallas Cowboys: McClay has ascended to the top of the personnel department in Dallas. And with the Cowboys' resurgence, he should become a hot name.
Terry McDonough, vice president of player personnel, Arizona Cardinals: Worked for Belichick in Cleveland and Newsome in Baltimore, and the Cardinals' success has restored his rep after some tough years in Jacksonville.
Rick Mueller, director of pro personnel, Philadelphia Eagles: Mueller's work has flown under the radar, but he's a valued voice in Philly. And he played a big role in putting Sean Payton's Saints in position to routinely contend.
Ryan Pace, director of player personnel, New Orleans Saints: You never hear much about Pace -- and that's by design. But he leads the personnel side under GM Mickey Loomis, and has drawn interest in the past.
Jon Robinson, director of player personnel, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Robinson spearheaded solid Patriots drafts in 2010, '11 and '12, and joined Tampa in May. Some believe he could eventually land in Houston.
Matt Russell, director of player personnel, Denver Broncos: Widely regarded as one of the NFL's best evaluators of college talent, Russell is a confidant of John Elway on all decisions. Like Heckert, he has a 2013 DUI to explain.
Duke Tobin, director of player personnel, Cincinnati Bengals: Like McClay, Tobin works in an owner-centric model, and has played a substantial role in stocking a very talented roster.
Lionel Vital, director of player personnel, Atlanta Falcons: A Tampa finalist last year, Vital occupies the spot that current GMs Les Snead and David Caldwell once filled. Like McDonough, has a Belichick/Newsome pedigree.
Eliot Wolf, director of pro personnel, Green Bay Packers: Ron Wolf's son would be very young (32) to be a GM, but is considered a rising star in the business. The success of John Dorsey and Schneider certainly doesn't hurt.
