The Baltimore Ravens drafted power back Bernard Pierce to play behind Ray Rice.
Pierce is listed at 6’0 and 218 lbs and timed at a 4.49 40-time, and having scored 27 touchdowns for Temple last year is expected to come in and be a short-yardage and goal-line specialist while also giving Ray Rice some much needed breathers throughout games.
Pierce may eventually steal some early-down work from Rice, but Rice is a bell-cow and the Ravens know that.
This is a good pickup for the Ravens who have relied on veterans to backup Rice in previous years but now boast someone with feature back skills to play second fiddle to Rice for many years to come.
Fantasy Analysis:
Bernard Pierce – Bernard Pierce projects as a long-term backup due to the presence of Ray Rice but is someone who can shine as an RB2 if Rice were ever to go down for an extended period of time. His 27 TD’s in his 2011 college season speaks volumes to his power game. We like Pierce more than Hillman and Pead in dynasty leagues but he will be able to be nabbed later in drafts. Pierce will be one of the most valuable handcuff’s in fantasy in 2012. Long-term we project him as a flex option who should crack double-digit touchdowns year in and year out.
Ray Rice – Rice’s fantasy stock is unaffected by the drafting of Pierce as he has always had talented players behind him on the depth chart in McGahee, McLain and Williams. In real life this is a great move for Rice as it will help keep him fresh throughout the season and also throughout games. There is the obvious potential for Pierce to become a TD vulture but Ray Rice is built more solidly and is a stronger running back (23 reps vs 17 reps for Pierce at combine). Rice remains a RB1 and is arguably one of the best running backs in fantasy football if not the best.
Anquan Boldin/Torrey Smith – The addition of Pierce slightly increases the values of Boldin and Smith as his selection ensures the Ravens will have a strong run game to open up the pass even when Ray Rice is taking a breather or is out with injury. Boldin and Smith both look like WR2’s with WR3 floors for the 2012 fantasy football season.
Joe Flacco – Flacco’s fantasy value takes a slight tick upwards with the selection of Bernard Pierce. As intimated earlier the run game will open things up for the pass in Baltimore and the addition of Pierce will ensure the Ravens always have a threat in the backfield to keep defenses honest. Flacco is a QB2 with low-end QB1 upside.
Now for some highlights:
