David Caldwell '96, Tom Telesco '95, and Nick Caserio '98.
Three John Carroll University alumni will call the shots on behalf of NFL franchises as the league prepares for an unprecedented virtual draft on Thursday.
Thanks to COVID-19, draft rooms will have a decidedly different look this season. General managers will forego the “war room” at team facilities to make picks, propose trades, and solicit scouting feedback from the comforts of their own homes. They will stay connected to team and league personnel through an elaborate system of technology.
Tom Telesco ‘95, David Caldwell ‘96, and Nick Caserio ‘98 will put their well-rounded, think-on-your-feet Jesuit education to the test when their respective franchises go on the clock this weekend.
Telesco ‘95 is the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, who pick sixth in the 2020 NFL Draft. Since graduating from John Carroll, Telesco worked his way up from his initial NFL role as a Scouting Assistant for the Carolina Panthers to become the Director of Player Personnel with the Indianapolis Colts before landing the GM spot with the Chargers. Since taking over as the Chargers GM in 2013, Telesco has led the team to two playoff appearances and has drafted some of the highest caliber defensive prospects in the last three seasons including DL Joey Bosa and S Derwin James, both of whom earned All-Pro honors within their first two seasons with the organization.
Caldwell ‘96 is general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who pick ninth in the 2020 NFL Draft. Similar to Telesco, Caldwell began his NFL career as a Scouting Assistant with the Panthers in 1996 and eventually worked under Telesco with the Colts as a regional scout before becoming the Director of Player Personnel for the Atlanta Falcons in 2012. Caldwell’s tenure as GM with the Jaguars began in 2013 has been highlighted by an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2017 and several premium draft selections, including RB Leonard Fournette and CB Jalen Ramsey.
Caserio ‘98 is the Director of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots, who pick 23rd in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has been with the organization since their unprecedented run of Super Bowl championships began in 2001. Since joining the Patriots, Caserio has elevated from his initial role as a personnel assistant and entered his current role in 2008. Caserio has had a hand in six Super Bowl victories, nine Super Bowl appearances, and 18 playoff berths since joining the team in Foxboro. Notable draft selections during Caserio’s tenure as Director of Player Personnel include WR Julian Edelman, DB Devin McCourty and DE Chandler Jones.
While the John Carroll connection with the NFL casts a much larger net than Telesco, Caldwell, and Caserio, their heavy influence on three of the NFL’s premiere franchises won’t go unnoticed as the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday evening.
