NFL GM Rankings: Howie Roseman is now recognized as one of the league’s best executives

Rotoworld recently revealed their annual rankings of all 32 NFL general mangers. It’s always a good read so make sure you check out the entire post.

You won’t be surprised to see Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president of football operations (and de facto general manager) Howie Roseman received a big boost in the rankings. Probably had to do something with the Birds winning the Super Bowl.

3. Howie Roseman, Eagles

Winning an NFL power struggle can be a Pyrrhic victory. Oftentimes, you’re the next one out the door. When Howie Roseman bested Chip Kelly in late 2015, he inherited a roster at a crossroads, one without a quarterback and pruned of much of its veteran talent. Roseman wasted no time in planting the seeds for its revival. Attacking his second chance with ferocity, Roseman made reputation-risking moves at both head coach and quarterback. His hiring of Doug Pederson felt flat. His trade up for Carson Wentz seemed desperate. Both proved to be inspired, serving as the twin pillars of the first Super Bowl championship in Eagles history. Now the boss of an imposingly deep roster, Roseman has complemented his major moves with quieter ones, like his pilfering of Timmy Jernigan from the Ravens. It’s been only eight years since Roseman first started assisting Andy Reid as his general manager. There have been some lows along the way. Roseman learned from them on his way to the highest of highs.

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal also has Roseman ranked at No. 3 overall.

There is no greater testament to a general manager’s skill than winning a Super Bowl with a backup quarterback. Using a blend of new-school analytics and an old-fashioned obsession with line play, Roseman transformed the Eagles roster in just two years. He helped kick-start the trade tsunami enveloping the league, a sign of a decision maker confident enough to make mistakes. The trade up to draft Carson Wentz second overall in 2016 might help define the Eagles’ next decade, but Roseman’s reluctance to stand pat after capturing a title bodes well for the team’s ability to sustain success. He’s come a long way from his Chip Kelly-enforced exile.

Roseman’s previous lows explain why he was only ranked at No. 21 overall at this time last year. Rotoworld described him as “ordinary” and that wasn’t an unfair word choice. The Eagles were 56-56 with two first round playoff exits in the 112 games played since Roseman first came to power.

Things obviously changed for the better in 2017. Roseman’s make-or-break investment in Carson Wentz paid off with the second-year quarterback on pace for an MVP-caliber season prior to getting hurt in Week 14. The Eagles were then able to win the Super Bowl thanks in part to Roseman’s free agent signing of his former 2012 third-round pick: Nick Foles.

Although it’s indisputably the most important one, the quarterback position isn’t the only position Roseman nailed. The Eagles were so good last season thanks to big contributions from free agent signings such as Chris Long, Patrick Robinson, LeGarrette Blount, etc. 2017 first-round pick Derek Barnett showed great potential and was responsible for some big plays in the playoffs.

Perhaps most fitting of all was that Roseman’s first-ever draft pick, Brandon Graham, made the biggest player in Eagles franchise history when he strip-sacked Tom Brady. The Eagles’ front office got so much crap over the years for passing on Earl Thomas to select Graham. No more. The Eagles don’t win the Super Bowl without BG.

They also don’t win it without a fearless, ego-less head coach in Doug Pederson. The former Chiefs offensive coordinator wasn’t even on anyone’s head coaching radar when the Eagles hired him. In fairness, he wasn’t the Eagles’ first choice as well. But Roseman ultimately gets some level of credit for pulling the trigger on the hire.

As was the case with Pederson, first impressions don’t always tell the full story. The skepticism surrounding Roseman’s return to power in 2016 was not totally unfounded. But Roseman clearly took his time off to become a reinvented version of himself. Roseman 2.0 is much better than 1.0. His hire of Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas has certainly aided him on his track to unprecedented success in Eagles franchise history.

Roseman deserves his ranking among the NFL’s best general managers. He’s responsible for the Eagles having one of the best quarterbacks and one of the best head coaches in the NFL. Not to mention the Eagles still have one of the most talented and deep rosters in the league as well. Roseman was able to build a championship contender due to his understanding of value. The marriage of Roseman’s analytical background with Douglas’ ‘football guy’ experience has worked wonders for the Eagles. It should also keep them in contention for the foreseeable future.