NFL Free Agency: Braylon Edwards Should Become a Minnesota Viking

On July 27, the Minnesota Vikings lost their best downfield threat since Randy Moss roamed the sidelines during the first seven years of his career (1998-2004) when Sidney Rice left the Vikings for greener pastures and a greener contract (five years, $41 million and $18.5 million guaranteed).

It was the right move. But it was only if the Vikings got someone who can somewhat compare to matching a Rice-type performance given in 2009 (83 catches, 1,312 yards and 8 touchdowns). 

There’s no one on the current free agent market who could match Rice’s numbers from 2009, but there is one receiver in particular who possesses a similar skill-set and frame: Braylon Edwards. 

Edwards stands 6’3” and 214 pounds.  The former Viking stands 6’4” and 202 pounds.  Both players aren’t the fastest receivers in the game but with their tall frames and strong leaping abilities, they can go up and grab the football over defensive backs. 

Edwards sits on the free agent market after the New York Jets re-signed his former teammate Santonio Holmes (five years, $50 million) and signed former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress to a one-year deal. 

It’s not as if Edwards had a terrible 2010 campaign. He caught 53 passes for 903 yards and seven touchdowns.  The Jets just chose to go in a different direction. 

But his best season came in 2007 when he posted career highs across the board for receiving statistics: 1,289 yards, 80 catches, and 16 touchdowns. 

That was the one year of his career when he had a Pro Bowl quarterback under center (Derek Anderson threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns that year). 

It was also the only year of his seven-year career that his quarterback threw for over 3,300 yards and over 17 touchdown passes.

Edwards was a stud receiver during his four-year career as a Michigan Wolverine from 2001-2004. 

With the exception of his freshman year, when he played in only two games and had three receptions for 38 yards, Edwards averaged 83 catches, 1,167.67 yards, and 13 touchdowns a year (his career highs all came his senior year: 97 catches, 15 touchdowns, and 1,330 yards).

His college resume helped make him the No. 4 pick in the 2005 draft—the same year the Vikings selected wide receiver Troy Williamson from South Carolina with the seventh overall pick—by the Cleveland Browns. 

Edwards has proven himself a talented wide receiver when he has talent around him. Look at what he did with the Jets and in 2007 with the Browns, and he is totally focused on football. 

It’s easy to lose focus while playing in New York or when you have to battle with LeBron James in Cleveland. 

Minnesota can offer an opportunity to play with a talented group of players (running back Adrian Peterson, receiver Percy Harvin, quarterback Donovan McNabb) while limiting the distractions for Edwards.

The last member of the “love boat” scandal from 2005 who had charges brought against him (left tackle Bryant McKinnie) was released on Tuesday.

Edwards should, hopefully, be able to keep his nose clean during a possible career in Minnesota, especially since it appears first-year head coach Leslie Frazier appears unwilling to deal with any shenanigans from his players. 

With McNabb under center and some talented skilled players around him, Edwards could be in line for one of his better NFL seasons in 2011 if he becomes a Viking. 

McNabb could be the best quarterback he’s ever had throw him the ball.  Harvin could be the best wide receiver he’s ever had line up across the line from him.

And Peterson is definitely the most talented running back he’d have in his backfield (the Jets have had a phenomenal running game the past two seasons, but the individual talent of the individual running back cannot compare to Peterson’s).

The Vikings need a deep-threat wide receiver.  Edwards needs an NFL team to pay him for his services.  It just could be a win-win situation with on-field success to follow.