5th Keeper to keep, Pierre Thomas, Braylon Edwards?

[AngryLionsFAn]

So I’m in an interesting predicament right now. I ended last year by winning the Super Bowl, and I need to make somewhat of a shake-up with my keepers. I get to keep 5 veterans, and 2 rookies from the previous year (so long as I don’t start them at all during the season). Last year I kept Romo, TO, Westbrook, Gore, and Ryan Grant. This year I’m leaning on Westbrook, Gore, TO (it’s a risk I know, but I still figure him to put up No. 1 numbers, just not ELITE numbers), and Roddy White. My rookies are DeSaun Jackson and Kevin Smith.

I have no desire to keep Romo any more. He chokes every December, and he’s a liability when I need him most. Especially without TO now. I won my Super Bowl starting Thigpen last year if that tells you anything. I’ll worry about a QB in round 2 or later if I even decide to draft one that early.

I have 2 legit options to consider, and one outside chance for a 3rd player.

1) Pierre Thomas. The Saints released Deuce finally and didn’t draft a RB this year. Unless they sign a strong FA RB, Pierre is the man. In only 6 starts he had 625 yds and 9 TDs. He had 5 games with more then 70 yds rushing too. He’s gonna be the main ball carrier in NO because Bush just isn’t an every down back. As long as they don’t pickup someone else I’m strongly considering this.

2) Braylon Edwards. Cleveland’s 2 WR picks suggest that they are still intending to move Edwards. I think the chances of him going to NY are pretty slim now that the Giants drafted Nicks, but he could still go to the Ravens, the Titans, or who knows. Maybe the Jets? If he goes to a team with a high end QB with a good arm I have to consider keeping him. The dropped passes last year were bad, but I think on a different team and some more confidence he improves.

3) Trading Ryan Grant for Marques Colston. Someone in my league only has Larry Johnson and Jamal Lewis as keeper worthy RBs. He’s hurting. Even if LJ decides he’s happy to be in KC now and stops assaulting women for awhile, neither of his RBs will put up very big numbers. He inquired about trading Colston for Grant at the end of the season. This guy is one of those people that won’t make a trade unless it has a STEEP upside in his favor, so he may not do this unless he’s desperate anyway. I think if it happened I’m split on Colston’s value vs. Thomas and Edwards. He does have all the skill and a great QB throwing at him, but Brees has other strong targets with Lance Moore, Arrington, and Shockey. Colston in good health could be a solid low No 1/high No. 2 receiver though.

What do you guys think? Who would you keep?

[SteelerBlitz]

How long do you have to make your pick? Braylon probably will not be in Cleveland this year. Pierre is a solid choice either way. I'm keeping Pierre over Braylon on my keeper squad.

[Indibuck]

I would try option #3 -- I would keep Colston over Thomas or Edwards.

[Hank_Scorpio]

I'd be leery of Edwards. No matter where he goes, he'll still drop plenty of balls. If he goes to the Titans, Jets, Jags or Ravens, he's not getting a top-end QB, and if he does end up with the Giants, you have to deal with crappy weather at Giants Stadium in December.

For now I'd say Pierre Thomas. There really aren't any good FA running backs out there. That could change if Edgerrin James, Larry Johnson and/or Thomas Jones are released by their teams.

Hopefully you can wait awhile and see what unfolds with Edwards and the running back game of musical chairs before announcing your keepers. If it were me, right now I'd have to go with Pierre Thomas...

[AngryLionsFAn]

I have until July probably to declare my keepers really. I have no intention of turning them in early because of what can and will happen in the off season.

[MadDog36]

Edwards, Colston and your WR will be set. Edwards will improve on that.