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. If you want to see the updated bracket with the results of the semi-finals, click here.
Rookie Fantasy Bracket Final: Andrew Luck Vs Trent Richardson.
Here we go, it's time for the final. Number one overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Andrew Luck overcame the likes of Lamar Miller, Isaiah Pead, Brandon Weeden and Coby Fleener to reach the final. Meanwhile, the third overall selection to the Cleveland Browns, running back Trent Richardson beat out T.Y. Hilton, LaMichael James, David Wilson and Robert Griffin III to face off against Luck.
Why vote for Andrew Luck?
Luck has an ability that most rookie quarterbacks don't have. He already knows how to read and recognize an NFL defense, and then find the holes in it. From the opening snap in week one, Luck will be able and willing to call audibles and get his team out of bad plays and into better ones. He can run a no-huddle, hurry up offense if his team needs to catch up. Given the state of the Colts defense, you have to figure Luck will be chasing games, leading to him throwing the ball more. He has a familiar target in college teammate Coby Fleener alongside the experienced veteran Reggie Wayne to throw to. He also has the ahtleticism to extend plays with his legs, and even run for yards when he has to.
More after the jump.
Why vote against Luck?
While Luck’s ability to change the play at the line can be seen as a plus, it can be seen as a negative. Luck was part of a run heavy offense at Stanford. He knows the importance of a solid running game to build a foundation on. So Luck could easily audible out of a pass into a run if he gets a better look from the defense. He’s more than willing to hand the ball off 30 or more times a game if that helps the team win. The other thing that worries me about Luck is the Colts team around him. If he’s to be productive at all, he’ll need his offensive line to protect him. The Colts offensive line last year was in the bottom half of the league in sacks given up; and were joint fourth worst in the league in quarterback hits allowed. The majority of that line is returning, so they’ll have to step it up if the Colts are to succeed.
Why vote for Trent Richardson?
Richardson is expecting to be the workhorse back of the Browns offense. He's going to be an extremely valuable asset to the Browns, as they transition from the Colt McCoy era, to the Brandon Weeden era. I'm expecting anywhere from 20 to 30 carries a game for Richardson. Even at the lower side of that, if he averages just 3.5 yards a carry, that's a 1,120 yard rookie season. Add on top of that any receptions from screens and check-downs, and you have a big fantasy weapon
Why vote against Richardson?
Throughout the whole series of posts, Richardson has been the most difficult to find reasons to vote against. I guess that's why he made the final. The only solid reason I could come up with was what I wrote in the last match up. The Browns ranked 28th in the league with 95.7 rushing yards per game on average. Now their running backs were far from brilliant, but the offensive line didn't exactly help. They will need to vastly improve up front if they plan to get the best out of Richardson, or he'll be using all of his ability to just get back to the line of scrimmage.
Let us know who you voted for and why in the comments below.
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