The Vikings' search for a new general manager is in full force, and Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer dropped the names of six external candidates who could be in the running for the job.

All six are currently working as assistant general managers in the NFL:

Terrance Gray, Buffalo Bills

James Liipfert, Houston Texans

Mike Bradway, Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Weidl, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ed Dodd, Indianapolis Colts

Jeff Ireland, New Orleans Saints

Breer has been raving about Gray for months, noting back in January that he is on the GM "doorstep." His connection to Minnesota couldn't be clearer, considering he worked in Minnesota under former GM Rick Spielman and George Paton, who was an executive in Minnesota before being hired as the Denver Broncos' general manager.

"He came over from Minnesota. Brandon Beane poached him at the beginning of the McDermott-Beane era in Buffalo," Breer said Friday. "He's been a huge part of putting those teams together.…