Who calls the shots in all 32 NFL draft rooms?
— -- NFL Nation reporters break down which person -- coach, front-office executive or owner -- has ultimate authority in the draft room of every team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: The Bills like to describe their draft selections as "Buffalo Bills picks," which implies there was a group consensus on each selection. General manager Doug Whaley technically has say over the 90-man roster, but video from the team's 2015 draft room also showed owners Terry and Kim Pegula, president Russ Brandon, coach Rex Ryan, pro personnel director Jim Monos and college scouting director Kelvin Fisher at the main draft room table. Although the Pegulas seemingly have deferred football decisions to their coach and GM, it's hard to see Whaley going against his owners' wishes -- if there are any stated -- in that situation. -- Mike Rodak
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: General manager Ozzie Newsome calls the shots and it's why the organization's mantra is "In Ozzie we trust." But the Ravens' draft room is far from a one-man operation. One of Newsome's strengths is assessing the collective opinion of the room and then making the final call. He takes input from the scouts, coaching staff and his right-hand man in assistant GM Eric DeCosta. Owner Steve Bisciotti has made it known he defers to Newsome (like the time Bisciotti wanted to take cornerback Lito Sheppard over safety Ed Reed in 2002). This marks the 21st draft in which Newsome is the top decision-maker. -- Jamison Hensley
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: The Texans' draft belongs to general manager Rick Smith, but owner Bob McNair is in the room and coach Bill O'Brien has significant input. For most of their operations, the Texans want Smith and O'Brien to reach a consensus and make the decision together. -- Tania Ganguli
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: When it comes to personnel decisions, executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway likes discussion, he likes strong opinions and he wants to hear all of the issues involved with any decision. But in the end, Elway is THE team's decision-maker. Mike Sullivan (who handles the team's salary cap and contracts), Matt Russell and Tom Heckert all have strong voices in the process -- and Elway trusts them all -- but Elway breaks the ties and gives the final nod. -- Jeff Legwold
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: This question frosts Cowboys fans more than any other. Jerry Jones is the ultimate decision-maker. However, he does not go against the wishes of his football people. Just think back to 2014, when the Cowboys took Zack Martin in the first round when Jones' favorite, Johnny Manziel, was still available. The Cowboys like to say they build consensus before the draft and come to decisions as a group. Despite what many want to believe, Jones will not go off on his own and do as he pleases. Has he done that in the past? Quincy Carter in the second round in 2001 might be an example, but Jones has shown a willingness to listen. -- Todd Archer
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: Coach John Fox has unprecedented influence throughout the entire Bears operation, but the draft ultimately belongs to general manager Ryan Pace. Pace relies heavily on the input of his top lieutenants -- director of pro scouting Champ Kelly, director of player personnel Josh Lucas and director of college scouting Joe Douglas -- but the second-year GM has the final call on all draft-related matters. -- Jeff Dickerson
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Falcons coach Dan Quinn has final say over the 53-man roster. And although Quinn continues to express his admiration for general manager Thomas Dimitroff and values the partnership they have, Dimitroff doesn't have the power he once had, as owner Arthur Blank demanded changes. When Dimitroff was asked about making the call on drafting players, he said, "In the end, if the head coach is totally against a player, the success rate of that player working out obviously is quite low." In other words, Quinn has the final say. -- Vaughn McClure
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: GM Steve Keim will listen to what coaches and scouts have to say in the Cardinals' war room, but he makes the ultimate decision on whom to draft. And that's how coach Bruce Arians likes it. There will be -- and have been -- disagreements and arguments about certain players, but Keim takes everyone's opinions into consideration before making the final choice. -- Josh Weinfuss
