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FanSided

10 potential GM candidates for the Redskins if they part with Bruce Allen

By Jacob Camenker

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins at Lambeau Field on December 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the field during the pregame warm up against the Oakland Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Oakland Raiders 34-14.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the field during the pregame warm up against the Oakland Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Oakland Raiders 34-14.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

10. player. 60. . Assistant GM. Minnesota Vikings. George Paton

Paton isn’t exactly a well-known name outside of Minnesota, but he has done a solid job of assisting Rick Spielman in turning the Vikings into a contender.

Despite lacking talent at the quarterback position, the Vikings have been able to build solid ground-dominant defensive units that have remained competitive in the NFC North, despite the presence of Aaron Rodgers.

Both Paton and Spielman seem to have a particular eye for finding talent on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve unearthed gems like Danielle Hunter in the third round of the draft and Shamar Stephen, another defensive starter, in the seventh round. They also have targeted guys like Linval Joseph in free agency, solid players who have improved under the tutelage of Mike Zimmer.

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Over the course of the years, Paton has helped Spielman and Zimmer build up depth on defense. And some of these depth players, like former undrafted free agent Anthony Harris, have turned into solid starters. Sure, some of that is coaching, but finding those undervalued players is always important.

Paton has also done this on the offensive side of the ball, and has been particularly good at helping to evaluate receivers. The Vikings have found success developing fifth-round receiver Stefon Diggs and undrafted free agent Adam Thielen into one of the best receiver duos in the league. And more recently, seventh-round pick Olabisi Johnson looks like a solid third receiver. So, they deserve credit for being able to do that.

The Vikings have been a relatively stable organization and have consistently been competitive over the years despite having a revolving door at QB. In Washington, Paton could help to find some good late-round talent and strengthen the team’s defensive depth, something that they sorely need. Perhaps coming from Minnesota, he would be willing to consider a defensive-minded coach.

And he would certainly value retaining talent, something Minnesota has done a lot in recent years by extending key defenders, so that surely would be enticing for Redskins fans.

Paton has a proven track record of solid drafting, helping to retain talent, and unearthing some gems. He’d fit well in Washington if he could get the staff to replicate the success they’ve found building depth in Minnesota.

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