The swinging door of hired/fired general managers in the NFL usually revolves on one very important subject.

Draft picks.

The success built via the NFL Draft is the building block to strong franchises and the cornerstones to establishing a dynasty in the NFL.

However, that elusive ability to successfully draft productive prospects is a thorn in the side of many of the finest football minds.

It’s more than just X’s and O’s that separates the top general manager’s in the league.

Ray Farmer, Cleveland Browns, General Manager (Current)

Maybe it’s a bad pick in one particular NFL Draft or maybe a few over the course of a few seasons combined? Last year’s draft analysis and selections by Farmer place him amongst the best at being the worst in the evaluation process of identifying productive prospects.

Cleveland had two first-round picks last season. They selected defensive back Justin Gilbert (8^th overall) and quarterback Johnny Manziel (22^nd overall). Running back Terrance West (94^th overall) was taken with the team’s second third-round selection.

Gilbert and Manziel may combine to be one of the worst combo packages of draft picks in the history of the league in terms of rookie production.

Farmer addressed the issue at the NFL Scouting Combine regarding the struggles both Gilbert and Manziel faced during their ultra-unproductive rookie campaigns. A year lost on two picks that are supposed to have to largest overall impact on an organization have been utter failures up to this point.
The Browns traded up in last year’s NFL Draft to select West and over the weekend they shipped him off to the Tennessee Titans for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.

Add in the texting scandal that cost Farmer his pay for the first four regular-season games of the 2015 season for his violation of the NFL’s electronic device policy and without question he enters the epic realms of failing to live up to the standards of successful or even mediocre NFL general managers.

Jeff Ireland, Miami Dolphins, General Manager (2008-13)

Dennis Hickey is the new general manager of the Dolphins after Jeff Ireland failed to consistently find top tier talent in the NFL Draft.

Ireland’s last first-round pick coincides with being one of his worst when Miami selected defensive end Dion Jordan with the third-overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

It helped seal his fate as the man in charge of pulling the trigger on draft day and opening the door for his replacement.

The 2011 NFL Draft marks another big miss for Ireland after the ‘Fins took running back Daniel Thomas (62^nd overall) in the second-round. Thomas rushed for 1,480 yards over the duration of his four-year stint in Miami.

Mediocrity at best is the judgment given to Ireland for his tenure in South Beach.

Bruce Allen, Washington Redskins, President/General Manager (2010-2014)

Under the direction of Bruce Allen (2010-14), the Washington Redskins led the NFL with the most draft picks ending up on the streets and not making the team.

Allen shared duties with former head coach Mike Shanahan, who also held a general manager role within the organization.

They likely are both still in Washington if their first-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft was not named Robert Griffin III.

Heading into his final collegiate season, Griffin was considered a top-15 quarterback prospect. By seasons end he skyrocketed up draft boards and at the time a serious discussion for some on if the Indianapolis Colts (who held the rights to the No.1 overall pick) should select Griffin over Andrew Luck.

In a blockbuster trade, the Redskins secured the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft from the St. Louis Rams.

Paying a hefty price, the onus was on all parties involved to succeed or else.

Their demise was somewhat revealed recently on the Dan Patrick Show, when guest Mike Shanahan shared his idea on how it all unraveled.

“Once owner (Daniel Snyder) and the quarterback (RG3) decide that the type of offense that we were successful with in 2012, that they don’t want to run a lot of those plays they want to throw more and run less,” said Shanahan. “You get a lot of people involved it takes away from the coach.”

Shanahan and Allen will not be the last front office duo ousted after a top draft pick fails to life up to expectations, but it sends a clear reminded of the fragile job security attach to the title of “general manager.”

RG3 is currently the third-string quarterback behind starter Kirk Cousins and back-up Colt McCoy.

The best and worst of recent Redskins memories are punctuated with visions of RG3. He led the team to the playoffs during his rookie season and every season after that gave the wrong impressive about being able to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

In the end, Shanahan and Allen are both gone and if another team inquires about the availability of Griffin he’ll be sure to follow.