I'm trying to pick my keepers for next year and I'm having a tough time deciding. We keep 4 offensive players and 1 defensive. I have the #2 pick and we have the same draft order each round, no serpentine. Here are my options:

Jay Cutler
Ryan Grant
Willie Parker
Willis McGahee
Vincent Jackson
Lee Evans
Donald Driver
Santonio Holmes
Kirk Morrison
DeMarcus Ware

I see bright futures for Cutler with new offensive-minded head coach and Jackson w/Rivers turning into a stud and Chambers fading as a #1. I'm really worried about Parker with his injuries and Moore and Mendenhall chomping at the bit behind him and about Holmes as his numbers dropped from 2007 and with Ward getting the end zone looks and the Pitt passing attack just not being as strong as it was in general in 07. I've basically written McGahee and Driver off due to age and injury, just included them in case anyone had a new thought for me on them.

I'm leaning towards Cutler, Grant, Jackson, Morrison, and either Parker or Holmes. Most people go for RBs in the first round, so I could keep Parker, Grant, and Jackson and pick up the best WR on the board w/my first pick. Or since I have the #2 pick, keep Grant, Jackson and Holmes and grab a stud RB...

keep Jay Cutler, Ryan Grant , sanonio holmes, jackson and yeah pick up a stud RB, maybe like Matt Forte or chris johnson

I would try to make sure you keep as many quality RBs as you can. Depending on the point structure, you will most likely notice only the top 5 WRs outscore the top 20 or so RBs.

Depending on what will be available, I would also use your #2 draft pick on another RB, only pass on another RB if there is a top 5 receiver available. If you feel that WR could outscore the available RB.

I always say try to hoard as many good RBs as you can. They get hurt the most and having quality backups is key. WRs are usually a dime a dozen. Think about it, there are 32 teams in the NFL. So usually only 32 prime starting RBs and 64 possible WRs.

Plus the RB you draft at #2, might just lead into keeper for the following year.

I could keep rambling on, but I will stop here. I would keep the following:

Jay Cutler - keep, Denver was good offensively this year and should improve next year when they have healthy RBs.

Ryan Grant - keep, should be primed for good things next year.

Willie Parker - keep, when healthy Parker is the go to guy. I know you might be worrying about Mendenhal, but he will be coming off a leg injury himself. Don't worry about Mewelde, he did good, but is just a good backup to have on a FB team.

Willis McGahee - Probable can drop, the Ravens appear to be leaning more on McClain and Rice.

Not sure about these two. Jackson and Rivers seem to have gelled some, but tough to say which direction the Charger offense is going. I also like Evans, when the second WR for the Bills was healthy (can't think of his name), Evans has some pretty good games.

Vincent Jackson
Lee Evans

I'm still a firm believer of RBs being the FF workhorses too. The only reason I'm questioning keeping Parker is because his status as an elite back is definitely in question right now. If I keep 2 RBs and a WR, I would probably go WR/RB with my first two picks. If I keep 1 RB and 2 WRs, I would go RB/RB...and possibly even RB with my 3rd pick too. The question is will Willie Parker be better than two backs I could get with my first two picks. And there's no way Forte or Chris Johnson will be available, I play with people who know what they're doing. But there should be some good rookie talent out there and a decent field of vets.

I'm definitely leaning towards keeping 2 RBs, but I have this thought that if I keep two WRs, I can focus solely on RBs with my first 2 or 3 picks.

The only reason I'm questioning keeping Parker is because his status as an elite back is definitely in question right now.

signed,
San Diego Defense


I'm definitely leaning towards keeping 2 RBs, but I have this thought that if I keep two WRs, I can focus solely on RBs with my first 2 or 3 picks.

That's not a bad philosophy, but your WR's are garbage truck juice. I'm not sold on Jackson or Holmes, and you definitely don't keep one of those guys over Fast Willie. I'd probably keep Willis "my knee bends both ways" McGahee before I'd keep Vincent "no, i'm not Bo" Jackson or Santonio "the joint is right here officer" Holmes