Lions

college scouting and director of player personnel.

Any team able to lure Hortiz away from Baltimore will reap the rewards of his scouting abilities.

5.

49ers vice president of player personnel Adam Peters

He was not only a part of two AFC championship teams with the Broncos, including a Super Bowl championship squad in 2015. He also helped build the 49ers into NFC champions in 2019.

And it’s been a quick rebuilding process in San Francisco, which has been expedited by solid draft hauls since ’17.

The 49ers, under the watch of John Lynch and Peters, went from 6-10 in their first year to 13-3 and a Super Bowl appearance last year.

6.

Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton

Paton completed his 13th season with the Vikings in 2019, serving as the team’s assistant general manager while working with general manager Rick Spielman.

Since 2006, Minnesota has earned six postseason berths and four NFC North titles.

7. ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick

The ESPN analyst got his start as a pro scout with Washington in 2001, before being promoted to director of pro personnel, a position which he held for three seasons (2005-07).

His next stop was in Philadelphia, where he was a scout (2008), the assistant director of pro personnel (2009) and eventually, the director of pro personnel (2010-13).

Riddick has also been mentioned as a candidate for the GM job in Atlanta.