Decision makers with most influence over draft
Here's a complete list of the decision makers with each team that will have the most influence during the NFL draft process.
AFC
Baltimore Ravens: Ozzie Newsome, general manager
Promoted from director of player personnel in '02, Newsome was the architect of Baltimore's Super Bowl team during the '00 season.
Buffalo Bills: Tom Modrak, assistant general manager
The former director of football operations for the Eagles also serves as Buffalo's head of their college scouting department.
Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Brown, owner and president
Brown has been routinely criticized for the franchise's small scouting department and recent selection of troubled draft picks (most notably, Chris Henry), but has successfully brought aboard stars Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer.
Cleveland Browns: Phil Savage, general manager
Hired in January 2005, Savage's most impressive draft selection to date with the Browns might be Braylon Edwards.
Denver Broncos: Mike Shanahan, head coach and VP of football operations
Shanahan's on-field success has been highlighted by his tremendous ability to identify productive runners (Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis) outside of the first round.
Houston Texans: Gary Kubiak, head coach
Hired in January 2006, Kubiak works closely with general manager Rick Smith to build the roster.
Indianapolis Colts: Bill Polian, president
Hired in December 1997, Polian is a five-time NFL executive of the year and made the critical decision to select Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf in '98.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jack Del Rio, head coach/James Harris, general manager and vice president for player personnel
Harris and his personnel staff work closely with Del Rio and the coaching staff to shape the roster.
Kansas City Chiefs: Carl Peterson, president and general manager
Peterson has been making key decision for the franchise since being hired in December 1988.
Miami Dolphins: Bill Parcells, VP of football operations
Hired in December, Parcells faces a big decision on what to do with the first overall pick.
New England Patriots: Bill Belichick, head coach
Even though he works closely with VP of player personnel Scott Pioli, Belichick ultimately has the say on Patriots' personnel decisions.
New York Jets: Eric Mangini, head coach
Beyond first-rounder Darrelle Revis, the '07 draft was not a particularly strong one for Mangini and the Jets.
Oakland Raiders: Al Davis, general manager partner
Simply put: It's Davis' way or no way with the Silver and Black.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Colbert, director of football operations/Mike Tomlin, head coach
Last year's first draft together produced mixed results as first-rounder Lawrence Timmons was not a major contributor.
San Diego Chargers: A.J. Smith, general manager
Promoted to current position in April 2003, Smith has built the Chargers into a title contender with a steady stream of trades and solid draft picks.
Tennessee Titans: Jeff Fisher, head coach and executive vice president
In his eight years as VP, Fisher has had to rebuild the roster mostly through the draft after undergoing a salary-cap purge earlier this decade.
NFC
Arizona Cardinals: Rod Graves, VP of football operations
Promoted to current position following 2002 season and is responsible for all facets of the organization.
Atlanta Falcons: Tom Dimitroff, general manager
Hired on Jan. 13 and has final authority over all personnel decisions related to the signing of free agents, the selection of players in the draft, trades, terminations and related decisions.
Carolina Panthers: John Fox, head coach/Marty Hurney, general manager
Hurney has overseen the college and pro scouting departments that have drafted Julius Peppers and Jordan Gross, and was instrumental in the '02 hiring of Fox.
Chicago Bears: Jerry Angelo, general manager
Hired prior to the '01 season, Angelo has helped guid the Bears to three division titles with the drafting of Pro Bowlers Lance Briggs, Tommie Harris and Nathan Vasher.
Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones, owner
Jones has acted as G.M. since '89, but hasn't had quite the same level of draft success since coach Jimmy Johnson's departure following the '93 season.
Detroit Lions: Matt Millen, president
Since being hired in January 2001, Millen has been stigmatized for draft picks that turned into busts (such as Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams).
Green Bay Packers: Ted Thompson, VP of football operations and general manager
Hired in January 2005, Thompson has rebuilt the Packers mostly with homegrown talent – some of which has been acquired following a bunch of wheeling and dealing on draft weekend.
Minnesota Vikings: Brad Childress, head coach
Hired in January 2006, Childress has overseen drafts so far that have produced playmakers Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice.
New Orleans Saints: Sean Payton, head coach
After an initial draft that featured Reggie Bush and Marques Colston, Payton and the Saints netted less positive results in '07.
New York Giants: Jerry Reese, general manager
Promoted last January following Ernie Accorsi's retirement, Reese's first draft produced gems such as Aaron Ross, Ahmad Bradshaw and Kevin Boss.
Philadelphia Eagles: Andy Reid, head coach and VP of football operations
Since joining the Eagles in '99, the philosophy has generally centered around building up the offense/O-line.
St. Louis Rams: Bill Devaney, VP of player personnel
Hired in February, has the challenge of revamping an offense that was arguably the league's most explosive earlier in the decade.
San Francisco 49ers: Scot McCloghan, general manager
Promoted to his current position in January, McCloghan has the big challenge of adding playmakers to the 49ers' passing offense.
Seattle Seahawks: Tim Ruskell, general manager
Hired in February 2005, Ruskell's first draft included current starter Chris Spencer, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bruce Allen, general manager
Hired in January 2004, Allen has found himself constantly trying to rebuild the roster, especially on offense.
Washington Redskins: Dan Snyder, owner
As has consistently been the case since he bought the team in 1999, the Redskins do not have a full complement of draft picks.
