Behind every great NFL team is a GM pulling the strings — drafting wisely, working magic with the cap, and somehow convincing fans that trading two first-rounders was totally worth it.
Some GMs build dynasties, others just keep their teams competitive year after year. Here are the 10 best GMs in the NFL right now, ranked by brilliance, boldness, and a little bit of luck.
10. Brad Holmes – Detroit Lions
Holmes turned the Lions from a punchline into a problem for the rest of the league. He drafts like a wizard and somehow made Jared Goff look like a franchise QB again.
9. Brandon Beane – Buffalo Bills
Beane helped transform Buffalo from a playoff drought punchline into a legit contender. He nailed the Josh Allen pick and keeps the roster competitive despite navigating a tough cap situation.
8. John Lynch – San Francisco 49ers
Lynch always seems to find talent in the middle rounds and builds rosters that can survive QB chaos. The Christian McCaffrey trade was bold and somehow made the 49ers even scarier.
7. Eric DeCosta – Baltimore Ravens
DeCosta inherited a good thing and kept it rolling with smart picks and a deep roster. He’s basically allergic to bad drafts and always finds a way to keep the Ravens in the mix.
6. Brian Gutekunst – Green Bay Packers
Everyone questioned the Jordan Love plan, and now they’re all quietly backing away. Gutekunst’s draft record is sneakily solid, and the Packers never really fall off the map.
5. Chris Grier – Miami Dolphins
Grier turned the Dolphins into one of the league’s most explosive, creative teams without blowing up the future. He drafted Tua, hired Mike McDaniel, and keeps swinging big — and lately, those swings are landing.
4. Brett Veach – Kansas City Chiefs
It helps having Patrick Mahomes, but Veach keeps the supporting cast strong without blowing the cap. The guy finds impact rookies like he’s shopping with a cheat code.
3. Duke Tobin – Cincinnati Bengals
He doesn’t get flashy headlines, but Tobin built a Super Bowl contender by drafting well and keeping the core intact. Joe Burrow helps, but Tobin gave him the tools.
Read More: 15 Blockbuster Trades That Devastated Fanbases
2. Les Snead – Los Angeles Rams
He turned “F them picks” into a Super Bowl and somehow pulled off another quick reload. Snead is the guy you call when you want to turn chaos into trophies.
Read More: 19 NFL “Draft Busts” That Proved Everyone Wrong
1. Howie Roseman – Philadelphia Eagles
Roseman lives for wheeling and dealing, and somehow always wins trades by a mile. He builds trenches like a 1990s GM but balances it with modern flair.
Read More: 10 Times an NFL Team Destroyed Its Future with a Bad Trade
