Mike Tannenbaum is a former NFL Executive and current ESPN Analyst.  Throughout Tannenbaum’s nearly three-decade-long football career, he has constructed quite an impressive resume.

Tannenbaum began his career in 1994 as an intern for the New Orleans Saints. In 1995 he became a Player Personnel Assistant for the Cleveland Browns. A year later he would rejoin the New Orleans Saints after completing his Law Degree at Tulane University Law School.

Tannenbaum’s longest tenure came with his hometown New York Jets from 1997-2012. Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells hired him as the Director of Player Contracts in 1997. Tannenbaum developed in this role and was promoted to Director of Pro Personnel/ Assistant General Manager in 2001.

In 2006, Tannenbaum was named General Manager/ Senior Vice President of Football Operations at age 36. Tannenbaum oversaw seven drafts and led the Jets to four winning seasons during his tenure with the team. Before departing New York, Tannenbaum led the Jets to four playoff wins and orchestrated the blockbuster trade for Darrelle Revis.

After a brief break from an NFL Front office, Tannenbaum served as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins. Since leaving Miami, Tannenbaum has joined ESPN as an NFL Front Office Insider. Tannenbaum is a regular on shows such as, ‘Get Up’, ‘First Take’, and ‘This Just In.’ He also teaches Football Business Management: The Inner Workings of the NFL at Columbia University.

In 2019, Tannenbaum teamed up with Joe Banner and founded the NFL’s premiere think tank in The 33rd Team.

Front Office Commentary

Lions Should Take Ahmad Gardner No. 2 in the 2022 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions sit with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft with major holes across their roster. With the perception that Jacksonville takes an EDGE No. 1 overall, the Lions will be left with some top players at a multitude of positions, including Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. Here is the case for […]

Training Camp

Draft Day Trades We Would Like To See

Each year, the NFL and their fans approach the draft with intrigue of the unknown and the potential for excitement. In NFL buildings, as the finishing touches are getting placed on the stacks and the draft board, calls with teams for potential trade partners ramp up. Some are done prior to the draft, some are […]

Breakdowns

How to Nail Your Late-Round Draft Picks

While the biggest emphasis is put on the top of the draft, teams that are able to sustain success and progress are those who are systematic and detailed in their late-round selections. While nobody will hit on all late-round picks, if you follow the correct strategy there can be meaningful value at the end of […]

Breakdowns

Does College Sack Production Matter to NFL Success?

Georgia defensive end Travon Walker has been one of the late risers of the NFL Draft cycle. As tracked by NFL Mock Draft Database, the former five-star prospect was expected to be available in the second round as recently as New Years, but a strong CFP Championship game started an ascension that now may make […]

Training Camp

Will DK Metcalf, AJ Brown or Deebo Samuel Really Be Traded?

During one of the most turbulent offseasons in NFL history, the wide receiver landscape across the league has seen a dramatic shift. Just last month, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and Robert Woods – who have accrued a combined 15 Pro Bowls, six first-team All-Pro selections, and two Super Bowls – were traded for […]

Front Office Commentary

Todd Bowles Has The Attributes You Look For in a Head Coach

“Todd Bowles has the attributes you look for in a head coach,” according to former Philadelphia Eagles President Joe Banner, who knows a thing or two about hiring in the NFL. Those attributes? Very strong leadership capability, high character, and high integrity. “I interviewed him for the head coaching job in Cleveland,” Banner says. “And […]

Breakdowns

How is Risk Calculated in NFL Player Acquisition?

In the NFL, there are two main resources you can allocate to acquire players: salary cap dollars and draft picks. Both are finite, meaning that every team starts with the same salary cap and same number of draft picks. As we touched on earlier this week, the decision to draft, trade for, or sign a […]

Front Office Commentary

Why the Patriots Did Not Tag J.C. Jackson

Many teams would be willing to break the bank to keep two shutdown corners on their roster – after starting the 2021 season with the duo of former DPOY Stephon Gilmore and All-Pro J.C. Jackson, the New England Patriots enter the 2022 season with neither. An undrafted free agent in 2018, Jackson signed a three-year […]

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