2013 Keeper Analysis: Western Conference

Part two of our keeper analysis. The Eastern Conference review is here.

Ba-Donka-Donk
Jedi Knights +4(14): Peyton Manning (3) Alfred Morris (2) Wes Welker (2) Marques Colston (2) Steve Smith (2) Jason Witten (3)
Another Bad Creation +0(13): Aaron Rodgers (3) Marshawn Lynch (2) Darren McFadden (2) Reggie Bush (2) Andre Johnson (2) Vincent Jackson (2)
Rhythm Drive -3(9): Philip Rivers (2) Matt Forte (3) Willis McGahee (0) Larry Fitzgerald (3) Greg Jennings (1) Giants (0)
P Funk All Stars +1(5): Joe Flacco (1) Sam Bradford (1) Mark Ingram (1) Justin Blackmon (1) Michael Floyd (1) 49ers (0)

Honestly, who thought Jedi Knights would rise from the depths to win the regular season crown? With a keeper core that featured two quarterbacks and something named Alex Green, Chris' team wasn't looking to trend upward anytime soon. Voila, a short season later, his keeper core ranks out as the best of the West. Peyton Manning re-established himself as a top flight option, a post-2012 draft trade for Alfred Morris paid off in spades, costing only a 2020 third rounder (Yes, you read that correctly, a 2020 draft pick). And a pre-draft trade brought in Steve Smith and Jason Witten, who are both productive veterans. Witten is actually a gold caliber tight end this year, even though he can't score touchdowns.

Oliver's Another Bad Creation isn't far behind Jedi Knights for keeper quality. With Aaron Rodgers at the helm, ABC brings back two productive running backs in Marshawn Lynch and Darren McFadden, and also has a rejuvenated Vincent Jackson to pair with a possibly declining Andre Johnson. New third back Reggie Bush replaces Robert Meachem and will provide nice insurance for when McFadden goes down to injury. In a weak division, this keeper core is plenty to contend for a division title.

Okay we're not sure what happened here but both Rhythm Drive and P Funk All Stars elected to keep defenses. We assume it's because they didn't select any keepers but who's to say. A sign that there's no lights on upstairs is that Rhythm Drive has Willis McGahee on their roster, the same Willis McGahee who currently has no NFL home. What?! The good news is that even with two absolute zero scores for keepers, Reno's team still has Larry Fitzgerald, Matt Forte, and Philip Rivers giving the team some semblance of respectability. Aging Greg Jennings could also be of value, as he's now the top dog in Minnesota. If only that Giants defense had been Santana Moss or Coby Fleener, or even Michael Turner, who has no NFL home either. That would have fit with the McGahee theme at least.

We literally have no idea what is going on in P Funk land. We move that they no longer can have "All-Stars" in their name, unless it's for irony. These All-Stars received a whopping score of four for their keepers last year -- including one each for two mediocre quarterbacks -- and will only improve that number by one this year. The whiff of potential for Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd are better than last year's keeper gems of James Starks and Montario Hardesty. And I guess replacing Pierre Thomas with 49ers defense is an upgrade. Wait, no, we can't award any keeper medals for a defense. That's just against everything we stand for. P Funk No-Stars, is anyone home?

Voltron
Ann Arbor Bamfers +2(12): Eli Manning (2) Colin Kaepernick (2) CJ Spiller (3) Frank Gore (2) Fred Jackson (1) James Jones (2)
Hungry Hungry Ouroboros +2(12): Matt Ryan (3) Darren Sproles (2) Victor Cruz (3) Mike Wallace (1) Eric Decker (2) Antonio Gates (1)
MoRRie's Pogiboys +1(10): Trent Richardson (3) Rashard Mendenhall (1) Calvin Johnson (3) Danny Amendola (2) Vincent Brown (1) Michael Crabtree (0)
Team Cameltoe +1(10): Russell Wilson (2) David Wilson (2) Daryl Richardson (1) Chris Ivory (1) Julio Jones (3) Jordy Nelson (1)

It's always nice when a long held asset turns into a bonafide star. Ann Arbor Bamfers drafted C.J. Spiller #5 overall in 2010 and held onto him for what seems like forever before he finally broke out last season. Spiller went from bronze to gold and just like that, Randy has a franchise runner. This does mean that Fred Jackson is heavily downgraded however, although I'm sure Bamfers doesn't mind. Having James Jones replace Doug Baldwin is a huge upgrade too, and Peyton Hillis, former coveted trade acquisition, is now a long lost memory. We're a little curious if Bamfers needed both Eli Manning and Colin Kaepernick, since maybe BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Golden Tate, or Anquan Boldin could have been low end keeper options. But who are we to argue with the best team keeper core in the division?

The only team to bring back all six keepers from a season ago, Hungry Hungry Ouroboros seems stuck on cruise control after a major shakeup last off-season -- not to mention finally getting into Maize and Blue. There was a slight shift in grades for the receiving crops of Victor Cruz, Mike Wallace, Eric Decker, and musty Antonio Gates, but otherwise it's Matt Ryan elevating himself to quarterback franchise status that gives Jon's team a slight improvement.

Coming off a division championship, Pogiboys were poised to lock in their position at the top for awhile, after a hit of the reset button. The additions of last year's #1 overall pick Trent Richardson and the emergence of Michael Crabtree should have vaulted Alvin's keeper core to another level. Instead, they were hit hard by the off-season as two top tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Dennis Pitta, were wiped from his roster, and now Crabtree is facing a long rest on injured reserve. There are high hopes for new keepers Danny Amendola and Vincent Brown -- upgrades on Beanie Wells, Greg Little, and oft-injured Mikel Leshoure -- but there's some holes to fill here. Luckily Alvin has four first round picks this year...

We love team rebuilds and it doesn't get more exciting than the one Felipe undertook over the past off-season. Keeping only Julio Jones from the year before, Cameltoe will now feature Russell Wilson at the helm, along with the three headed maybe ground attack of David Wilson, Daryl Richardson, and Chris Ivory. New acquisition Jordy Nelson could have a bounce back year, even if he's been deflated a bit by a pre-season injury. While nothing is for certain, this crew definitely sounds more appealing than the five players who were on the keeper list a year ago: Jay Cutler, Shonn Greene, Roy Helu, Jeremy Maclin, and Jacob Tamme. Here's hoping the football gods reward gumption and fun trades karma!

Top Five Keeper Cores

1. Mandalorian Warriors (17): Last year's top keeper core upgraded. Watch out!
2. 100 Acre Pooh Bears (17): Great last year and even better this year. What happened to parity?
3. Italian Stallionz (15): Middle of the pack last year but vaulted up into the top three now.
4. Jedi Knights (14): One of the lower tier teams last season suddenly has a roster worth envying.
5. DM Paper Company and Another Bad Creation (13): Neither team gained from last season, but that's enough to keep them in the top ranks.