How To Be The Best NFL GM: The Top 5 Ways An NFL GM Can Turn Their Franchise Around
As a Washington Football Team (now “Commanders”) fan, I am regularly disappointed in my team’s performance. As a former season-ticket-holder, I haven’t been to a Washington game in years because, honestly, we just haven’t been good recently. More importantly, we have lacked a cohesive rebuilding strategy, which means we are likely to continue struggling for years to come. I wanted to put together content which shared my thoughts on how NFL GM’s can rebuild a team.
Except for one high school passing camp and one college flag football league, I have never formally played American football, but I enjoy watching and analyzing professional games. I have also played countless hours of Madden 2005 and fantasy football. Those are my qualifications.
Now, with that out of the way, and after having proved my undeniable qualifications, here are the top 10 ways a GMs to turn their franchise teams around:
1) Build & Retain a Core of 6–7 Elite Players
These players are the nucleus of your team. Get them at a bargain price (either in the draft or free agency), have them earn their stripes, and then pay them well.
Young talent is at a bargain because they have yet to prove themselves, and you can get them on a rookie contract.
If you let a player go, and then he becomes a pro-bowler somewhere else, that is likely an indicator of poor talent management.
Value above average performers who are excellent leaders. They will bring out the best in everyone around them, even if their individual statistics never score top 5 in the league.
Getting a group of core players is the most important thing you can do for your team. Try to get the most important positions as well (see item #2 below). If you have a great core, other excellent free-agents will eventually take pay-cuts to come to or remain with your team, likely because you are winning. Make sure to treat your core players well and pay them. Everyone else around them can take the pay cuts.
2) Draft The Right Positions First
It is no secret that QB is an important position. But you need to ensure you are drafting the right QB prospects.
Only 3 attributes actually matter in a QB prospect: 1) The Ability to Process Information Quickly. 2) Work Ethic & Attitude and 3) Arm Strength. Ignore everything else. The first one will ensure the QB is smart and can process a defense at an NFL level. The second one will ensure the QB prospect has the right mentality to fix any mistakes and be a leader. The third one ensures that the prospect has the most important type of athleticism for the QB position, and expands the field for your WRs. Make sure to test each of these attributes BEFORE you draft your “franchise” QB.
If you are in WIN now mode, and literally the only piece you are missing is a QB, you could convince me of drafting an elite scrambling QB, however because this type of quarterback has a shorter lifespan in the NFL, due to the number of hits they take, I am usually against it.
After QB, you need to ensure you are built well at the other important positions.
Elite DEs / OLB / pass rushers who can get to the QB, put pressure on the QB, and force them to make decisions quicker (see important QB attributes above) are the next most important position after QB.
Blindside Tackle (LT for R-handed QBs, RT for L-handed QBs) who can protect what your QB can’t see. QBs can manuever around other blitzers, but they can’t see their blindside. QBs who feel more confident in the pocket, from good blindside protection, will make quicker decisions.
CBs who can cover the other teams #1 WR are next. They force QBs to utilize WRs 2–5 which, for non-elite QBs, is quite the challenge. With good coverage, CBs require QBs to stay in the pocket longer, allowing your pass rushers to get sacks.
In no particular order, next are WRs, pass catching TEs, ILBs, and Safeties. Elite players at each of these positions have the ability to be game changers. For all of these positions, you should prioritize raw athleticism, size and speed. For WRs, the next most important attribute is the ability to process information (just like QBs). Elite WRs need to be able to see exactly what the QBs sees, and make reads just as fast. After athleticism, the next most important attribute for ILBs and Safeties is, surprisingly, leadership. Because both positions sit centrally on the field, they need to be able to read offenses and issue commands to the rest of the defense. If their teammates don’t view them as leaders, they won’t listen.
DLs/OLs are next. They should be athletic and strong. Good footwork is also incredibly important, and usually underrated. Ideally there are a good mix of run and pass specialists on your team for different situations.
Kicker/Punter are penultimate. They will help you get points on the board and control field position. Value special teams.
Finally, RBs are last. The NFL is a pass first league now. Please do not use high draft pick (rounds 1–3) to draft a RB. And please draft a RB committee, rather than putting all your eggs into one RB player, who might get hurt.
Last note on drafting. Admittedly there is always an element of luck in drafting, but one way to combat this is to stock up on draft picks, including compensatory draft picks, to increase volume and chances of success.
3) Every Player Has a Purpose or Speciality
Make sure every player on the team actually contributes as #1 in one area. In other words, every player should have a specialty.
Your RB #2 isn’t your “back-up” running back, but your pass catching specialist, who can help your team in critical 3rd down scenarios. Your QB #3 isn’t your 3rd string QB, but an elite scout team QB who can prepare realistic scenarios for your team in practices. Your WR#4 is a very tall receiver who can be used against teams with shorter CB rosters. You get the point.
If a player gets injured, you should feel the loss, even if it’s just slightly, because you have lost a speciality player from the team.
4) Value Versatility
The goal should be to build a well balanced roster beyond just position counts.
If you have a player that can run & catch well or pass & catch well, they will give you a more dynamic team. If you can put a WR at the RB position or have a RB throw a pass out of the backfield, you will keep opposing defenses guessing.
The same rule applies on defense.
5) Balance Youth & Athleticism with Experience & Leadership
You want a balanced team with youth & athleticism and experienced veterans & leadership. The Superbowl winning teams always have this balance.
You cannot just look at an older player’s individual stats and decide not to pay them well if they are not producing at an individual level. You need to factor in their leadership and influence over the other players. This is especially true if the player is part of your 6–7 player nucleus (see list item #1).
Finally, never sign a player to a big contract based on just 1 year of elite performance.
I doubt the Commanders will ever change, especially after seeing the most recent Carson Wentz trade, but if they want to start heading in the right direction, hopefully this post has given them some solid ideas.
Thanks for Reading :P
