Managers have sporting destinies in their hands: what to use “force”?
Master Yoda Tier
He is the sage of history, the one whose opinion is most respected.
Howie Roseman (Eagles)
It’s not so long ago that Howie Roseman was considered an outcast among Philadelphia fans!
Entered through the back door in 2000, he was able to climb the ladder in the organization chart of the Eagles to become the General Manager ten years later. In charge of the draft, he had some successes such as the selections of Brandon Graham (2010), Fletcher Cox and Nick Foles (2012), Lane Johnson and Zach Ertz (2013).
In 2011, his flair allowed him to choose Jason Kelce in the 6th round (choice 191) but also to recruit Danny Watkins in the 1st round! A succession of bad choices like Jaiquawn Jarrett (2nd round 2011), Daniel Te’o-Nesheim (3rd round 2010) and especially Marcus Smith (1st round 2014) will get the better of his credit. Especially since during these five seasons, the team has only had 42 wins for 38 losses!
For four years, he has chained the master class : during the market as during the drafts! The signings of receiver AJ Brown (2022), defensemen Darius Slay (2020) and Haason Reddick (2022) and the drafts of DeVonta Smith (2021) and especially Jalen Hurts (2020) have changed the face of the franchise. His latest feat is getting the number 9 pick in 2023 to recruit Jalen Carter.
Luke Skywalker Tier
Young and talented, he is the one who makes the difference!
Brett VeachChiefs
He is one of the youngest (45 years old) and already the one on whom rests “a new hope”. For his very first draft as manager in 2017, Brett Veach is trying a completely crazy bet: going from choice 27 to choice 10 for a talented player but giving little assurance as to a transition to professional play. Since then, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has become the undisputed leader of the “republic” armies.
Although he has also experienced some failures, such as choosing Breeland Speaks (DT) from choice 46 in 2018, he has however built a competitive squad with very good successes: Creed Humphrey and Nick Bolton (2nd round 2021), L’Jarius Sneed (4th round 2020), Trey Smith (6th round 2021), Jaylen Watson and Isaiah Pacheco (7th round 2022).
Talented, he forms the best manager-coach duo in the NFL, with an Andy Reid who took him in his luggage on the Philadelphia-Kansas City flight in 2013.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Tier
“Strength” runs through their veins and their rare failures are quickly overtaken by great success. Such are Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars and those managers in NFL.
Brandon Beane (Bills), Chris Ballard (Colts), Eric De Costa (Ravens), John Schneider (Seahawks)
Brandon Beane’s first draft in 2017 brings two solid starters with tackle Dion Dawkins (2nd round) and linebacker Matt Milano (5th round). Two months before, he had signed safety Micah Hyde. Since then, he has been able to recruit players as important as Ed Oliver (2019) and Stefon Diggs (2020). Above all, he bet on the development of a quarterback challenged upon leaving university: Josh Allen.
The drafts of the Ravens and the Colts are very often hailed by the experts! Former apprentice of Ozzie Newsome, Eric De Costa has climbed all the levels since his arrival in 1996 in Baltimore. If he had failures like the signing of Carson Wentz in 2021, Chris Ballard showed his skill with some very nice moves: trading the 1st round of draft 2020 to recover DeForest Buckner as well as the drafts of Quenton Nelson, Shaquille Leonard, Braden Smith, Jonathan Taylor etc.
Just behind the Kansas City tandem, John Schneider forms a powerful duo with Pete Carroll in Seattle. He knew how to mark the minds of all the fans of this sport with his Legion of Boom winner in 2013! Apart from quarterback Geno Smith, all major players and the majority of Seattle starters in 2023 were drafted by him.
Emperor Tier
Powerful character, challenging him is very dangerous.
Bill Belichik (Patriots), Mickey Loomis (Saints), Jerry Jones (Cowboys)
Such Palpatine in the Star Wars saga, Bill Belichik is omnipotent in New England. Trainer and manager at the same time, he sometimes even pushes the resemblance to this character by slipping his head under a hood! Like the Emperor of the Sith, he seeks the support of trusted men, but this most often turns against him.
In office since 2002, Mickey Loomis has had great success with the drafts of Drew Brees, Cameron Jordan or Marshon Lattimore. He is also known to be a magician when it comes to payroll management. If Jerry Jones passed the baton to his son Stephen, he nevertheless remains all-powerful in his kingdom of Arlington and no decision is taken without his approval.
Han Solo Tier
If he does not master “the force”, Han Solo is nevertheless a competent and respected leader.
Jason Licht (Buccaneers), Joe Douglas (Jets), Chris Grier (Dolphins), Duke Tobin (Bengals)
In office since 2014, Jason Licht has a balanced record with his first-round picks: Mike Evans (2014), Vita Vea (2018), Devin White (2019) and Tristan Wirfs (2020) offsetting the failures of Jameis Winston (2014), Vernon Hargreaves (2016) and OJ Howard (2017). His master stroke remains to have been able to attract Tom Brady, allowing the franchise to win the grail in 2020.
Joe Douglas has only been in New York since 2019 and if the Jets still haven’t had a season with a positive record, it won’t be long. His picks in the 2022 draft resulted in Defensive Rookie of the Year (Sauce Gardner) and Offensive Rookie of the Year (Garrett Wilson)! And while he’s not the reason Aaron Rodgers signed in New York, he’s still the manager who put his signature on that deal.
In Miami, Chris Grier was able to make difficult and sometimes controversial choices such as the signing of Tyreek Hill or the drafts of Tua Tagovailoa, Christian Wilkins and Jaylen Waddle. Ditto for Duke Tobin who preferred to choose receiver Ja’Marr Chase rather than a tackle to protect Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. For the moment, their choices have not allowed them to go all the way, but their respective teams seem to be on the right track.
Padawan Tier
Young, they are already gifted but still learning.
Omar Khan (Steelers), Brad Holmes (Lions), Scott Fitterer (Panthers), Ryan Poles (Bears), Terry Fontenot (Falcons), Joe Schoen (Giants), Nick Caserio (Texans)
Kevin Colbert left the Steelers after 23 seasons (including 13 as general manager), Omar Khan was able to benefit from his teaching in 2022. It is up to him to continue the reconstruction of the Pittsburgh franchise. During the 2023 draft, he even dared to trade to go up from choice 17 to choice 14 and thus bypass the Jets (choice 15) for tackle Broderick Jones!
For his 3rd season in charge, Scott Fitterer was aggressive in 2023. Not hesitating to sacrifice his best player (DJ Moore) to obtain the first choice of the draft! Brad Holmes is reviving the Detroit Lions and that’s no small feat.
These three men, as well as the four others in this category, are under 50 years old.
Darth Maul Tier
Sith fighter very dangerous but in fits and starts: just like these leaders capable of incredible finds as resounding failures!
John Lynch (49ers), The Sneads (Rams)
In San Francisco, John Lynch has shown himself capable of brilliant moves, such as the draft of Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel in 2019 as well as the late selections of George Kittle and Talanoa Hufanga (5th round), Brock Purdy and Juan Jennings (7th round). But for how many wasted choices? Reuben Foster (1st round), Dante Pettis (2nd round), Jalen Hurd and Ahkello Witherspoon (3rd round), Joe Williams (4th round) etc. Especially the three choices of the 1st round given for Trey Lance! But also the use of the number 3 pick in 2017 on Solomon Thomas.
A little further south, Les Snead won his bet and the Rams won the penultimate Super Bowl. But since then, the franchise has found itself without finance and deprived of high draft picks! After a record of five wins for twelve defeats in 2022, the 2023 season also promises to be complicated.
Stormtroopers Tier
Undoubtedly stronger than ordinary mortals, they are however no match for their opponents.
Tom Telesco (Chargers), Trent Baalke (Jaguars), Brian Gutekunst (Packers), Andrew Berry (Browns)
In office since 2013, the Chargers have a negative record under Tom Telesco: 83 losses for 79 victories. Some successes but above all a lot of failures, like his first draft: excellent choice of the 3rd round used on Keenan Allen, coming after the flops of DJ Fluker (1st round) and Manti Te’o (2nd round).
How many good draft picks by Trent Baalke in San Francisco between 2011 and 2016? Not 1st round picks on AJ Jenkins (2012) and Eric Reid (2013) or 2nd round picks on LaMichael James (2012), Cornellius Carradine (2013) and Joshua Garnett (2016)! This did not prevent him from bouncing back from Jacksonville and his future in the NFL seems linked to the development, or not, of his controversial number 1 choice in 2022: Travon Walker.
Brian Gutekunst enjoyed great success with the Green Bay Packers. But the results seem more the fact of quarterback Aaron Rodgers than his ability to surround him! He also failed to keep this quarterback so dominant and his position as manager will be played on the performance of Jordan Love.
With the endorsement of a favorite owner in the general’s cast Wilhuff Tarkin, Andrew Berry went to the dark side by signing a talented quarterback on the field but so contested outside: Deshaun Watson (dark Vador ?).
Cast of the NFL/Star Wars crossover
– Master Yoda: Howie Roseman (Eagles)
– Luke Skywalker: Brett Veach (Chiefs)
– Obi-Wan Kenobi: Brandon Beane (Bills)
– Palpatine: Bill Belichik (Patriots)
– Han Solo: Joe Douglas (Jets)
– Padawan: Brad Holmes (Lions)
– Darth Maul: The Snead (Rams)
– Stormtrooper: Trent Baalke (Jaguars)
