We here at Mocking the Draft put together a bracket to match up the top 32 rookie quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends drafted in April. Put simply, it's a NCAA tournament style bracket to help us decide which rookie will score the most fantasy points this coming season. You're welcome to go back and see the original post here. Today's match up, Ryan Tannehill vs Bernard Pierce.
Fantasy Football Rookie Bracket Match Up: Ryan Tannehill vs Bernard Pierce
This could potentially be one of our first upsets. The Miami Dolphins drafted quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick, while Pierce was taken in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens.
Why vote for Tannehill?
The Dolphins drafted Tannehill having already hired his head coach from Texas A&M, Mike Sherman as their offensive coordinator. This could mean that Tannehill will be up to speed on his offense a lot quicker than most rookie quarterbacks. Sherman will know Tannehill better than anyone else in the league, so he’ll know how to best use him. Tannehill shows good ability hitting timing routes, which combined with a solid running game should see Tannehill be fairly successful if he sees the field.
More after the jump.
Why vote against Tannehill?
The Dolphins have already said that Matt Moore is still the starter until otherwise stated. They are in no rush to throw Tannehill in at the deep end. It looks like a Jake Locker situation last year. Also long as the starter is performing well and winning games, then the rookie will sit on the bench. The problems for fantasy owners arises if the Dolphins start winning games with Matt Moore as the starter.
Why vote for Pierce?
The Ravens starting running back is always going to be Ray Rice, barring any unforeseen injury. But the Ravens have leant a little too heavily on Rice the past couple of years. He's already nearing 1000 career carries before entering his fifth year, so the Ravens may look to lighten the load a bit and split some carries. Without an established veteran back up already on the roster, Pierce has a solid chance to win the back up job in camp. If he can do that, he should see time on the field and then it's up to him to capitalize on that.
Why vote against Pierce?
As I said, Rice is the clear starter, and will take the majority of the carries. While he could win the back up job, he still won’t see more than 10 touches a game, if that.
It's an interesting match up here. I think it's down to who you think will see the field more. I can easily see Tannehill sitting the year, so then Pierce would walk it. But at the same time, If Tannehill comes in by week eight, he could make up any points that Pierce had earned pretty quickly. Who did you vote for and why? Let us know in the comments below. Tomorrow's match up: Michael Floyd vs Mohamed Sanu.
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