Think what you will of Thomas Dimitroff's 60-plus draft picks or his his draft-day trades but the Falcons' general manager since 2008 is among the more respectable decision makers in the league, at least according to one leading publication.
USA TODAY ranked all the general managers in the NFL, judging their draft picks, free agent signings and cap management. Of the 32 executives, Dimitroff ranked 19th overall.
This is what they said of Dimitroff:
Dimitroff has won the executive of the year award twice during his run as Falcons GM but he's never really put together a balanced roster. The offensive line has been an issue Matt Ryan's entire career (although it is improving). The defense hasn't had a pass rush since the Michael Vick era. Now the offense has grown old. Dimitroff gets some credit for trading up to draft Julio Jones, but the package required to get that deal done may have cost this team the depth it's lacked since its 2012 NFC Championship appearance.
Dimitroff's best move? Drafting Ryan third overall in 2008. Worst move? Drafting Peria Jerry 24th overall in 2009.
So who's the worst GM? That honor falls to the Dolphins' defacto decision maker Mike Tannenbaum.
The best?
New England's Bill Belichick. And don't forget, Dimitroff was a Belichick protege before landing in Atlanta.
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