Schultz: 6 candidates who should be front-runners for open GM jobs

theScore's NFL insider Jordan Schultz breaks down the resumes of the six hottest general manager candidates. Currently, Arizona and Tennessee have openings for a GM.

Ran Carthon

The 49ers director of player personnel is among the most respected people in NFL circles. Beyond the football side of things, Carthon's considered one of the premier relationship-builders in the business.

"He commands respect because he gives respect," a current AFC executive told me. Carthon, who played at Florida and spent three seasons on the Colts' and Lions' rosters, worked his way up in management over the last 15 years, first as a scout with the Falcons, then with the Rams and now in San Francisco since 2017.

He's well-liked within the building and has already received requests from both the Cardinals and Titans for their vacant GM jobs. During his tenure in the Bay, the 41-year-old has helped draft Brock Purdy (Mr. Irrelevant), Deebo Samuel (second round), Fred Warner (third round), Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga (both fifth round).

Brandon Hunt

The Eagles director of scouting is revered around football for his ability to integrate scouting with culture-building. An MBA with more than 15 years of NFL experience - mostly with the Steelers - Hunt is adept at creating a common goal. "He's a winner," a former executive told me.

What I've also gathered is that Hunt doesn't take shortcuts. He puts in the time but also holds everyone in high regard so that they're empowered to make good decisions collectively. Considering he's been in both the AFC and NFC, as well as scouted both college and pro, Hunt's a highly qualified candidate with a bona fide philosophy on how to mold a championship-caliber roster.

Michael Reaves / Getty Images

"He believes in building through one's strengths," the former executive said.

Finding what you do well and doing it better than anyone else is a pretty good formula. We've seen this come to fruition on Philadephia's roster as it bolstered an already talented receiver group with A.J. Brown, added to an already talented defensive front with Jordan Davis and Haason Reddick, and laid the groundwork in the secondary by acquiring James Bradberry and C.J. Gardner-Johnson last offseason.

In Pittsburgh, Hunt helped acquire All-Pros Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden, as well as identify the team's quarterback of the future in Kenny Pickett. It may sound overly simplistic, but Hunt's refusal to settle and consistent grind toward solutions is why he's on his way to becoming a GM.

Alec Halaby

The Eagles assistant GM spent his entire career with Philadelphia, starting with a college internship in 2007. A Harvard grad and English major, the talented 36-year-old is well-regarded for his capacity to balance scouting and modern data analysis in his evaluations.

But Halaby's not limited to the "Moneyball" approach. League sources laud him for his excellent communication skills with coaches and an ultra-high football IQ - the lifeblood of any front office. Halaby successfully navigates these high-level conversations while understanding that scheme and fit - as well as personality - all factor into whether a player will achieve success in the Eagles' program. His forward-thinking approach will serve him very well whenever his first GM opportunity comes calling.

Thomas Dimitroff Mark Brown / Getty Images

The former Falcons general manager grew up around football as the son of a CFL coach and long-time NFL scout. While Dimitroff cut his teeth with Bill Belichick and the Patriots, he's best known for his construction of the Falcons team that eventually lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

During his 13-year tenure in Atlanta, Dimitroff made several key decisions, including trading up for Julio Jones, drafting Matt Ryan, and hiring Dan Quinn even though he didn't have any head coaching experience at the time.

Dimitroff hangs his hat on his ability to create a healthy work environment - hence the "brotherhood" he established with Quinn. He prides himself on working hand-in-hand with the head coach while also relying on his history in scouting (2003-07 with New England) to inform his decisions. It's been two years since the 56-year-old worked in the league, but there's certainly a place for him should he choose to return.

Dan Morgan

Morgan followed an outstanding college career at Miami with seven years in the NFL playing linebacker for Carolina. He immediately set his sights on the front office after his playing days and has been on a fast track ever since.

Well-regarded for his scouting ability, the 44-year-old got his first stint in upper management with Brandon Beane and the Bills. He's been with the Panthers since 2020, serving as assistant GM. "Dan's a really cool dude," a current Panthers player told me. "You can tell he played and knows what that means."

Sporting News / Getty ImagesAdam Peters

Like Carthon, Peters comes from the impressive Niners tree. Known as an excellent talent evaluator, Peters has been in the NFL for two decades. He gained an excellent reputation during his five-year tenure as the Broncos' director of college scouting before joining the Niners and earning a promotion to his current role as assistant GM two seasons ago.

The 42-year-old is "easy to work with and knows how to build a roster," the AFC executive told me. It's worth noting that Peters declined the Titans' request for an interview this week, and several people I've spoken with believe he'll eventually replace John Lynch in San Francisco.

Jordan Schultz is theScore's NFL insider and senior NBA reporter. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.