Projecting Johnny Manziel's Fantasy Value If Announced as Browns' Starting QB

The Cleveland Browns turned the starting job over to Johnny Manziel in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills after quarterback Brian Hoyer continued to struggle, and fantasy football owners rejoiced at the true debut of Johnny Football.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine has not made his decision on who will get the start in Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts:

Fantasy owners must pick up Manziel off the waiver-wire immediately as a viable backup to their starter heading into the playoffs. While there is no guarantee Manziel will be awarded the starting job moving forward, the upside of a player like Johnny Football is undeniable.

In his limited time, Manziel was 5-of-8 passing for 63 yards and added another 13 yards and a touchdown rushing. While Johnny Football wasn’t overly impressive throwing the ball, the threat of him running the ball keeps defenses honest. Add in a wide receiver like Josh Gordon as a target, and he will manage to get his points through the air.

The Browns also have a favorable fantasy playoff schedule, as Andy Behrens pointed out on Yahoo.com, saying, “But Johnny is gonna be a fun watch, and probably a fun fantasy experience. If he's at the controls of the Browns offense in Week 16—when fantasy titles are settled—he'd face a Carolina defense that ranks among the most generous to opposing QBs.”

Hoyer is likely the better technical pocket passer right now, but Manziel hasn’t had the opportunities or the experience Hoyer had over the years. With Cleveland right in the middle of a chase for the AFC North Divisional Championship, the coaching staff is smart to test all of its options.

Manziel is best known for his ability to scramble out of the pocket in order to avoid pressure and his willingness to tuck the ball and run when needed, but he proved during his time with Texas A&M that he still has the power and accuracy to be an effective pocket presence.

Passing	Class	Games	Comp.	Attempts	Yards	TDs	Ints	Rating
Rushing	Class	Games	Attempts	Yards	Average	TDs
2012	FR	13	295	434	3706	26	9	155.3
2013	SO	13	300	429	4114	37	13	172.9
2012	FR	13	201	1410	7.0	21
2013	SO	13	144	759	5.3	9

The Browns will undoubtedly design packages that feature Manziel’s versatility as a runner, but the team wants to keep its quarterbacks healthy. Fantasy owners should expect Johnny Football to be a throw-first quarterback with the ability to make plays with his feet.

With Manziel being a legitimate red-zone threat (as he showed on his rushing touchdown in Week 13), fantasy owners with players like Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers, Jay Cutler of the Bears or Andy Dalton of the Bengals should consider the rookie if Cleveland names him the Week 14 starter.

The Browns squaring off against Indianapolis could be blessing in disguise as well. Manziel and Cleveland will likely find themselves down early to the high-powered offense of the Colts, and Johnny Football will have to use his old tricks to get the team back into the game.

Fantasy owners in desperate need of quarterback help coming into Week 14 should look no further than Manziel if the Browns name him the starting quarterback.

*Stats via NFL.com.