The Cleveland Browns have turned to Johnny Manziel as the starter over Brian Hoyer and for fantasy football owners, Jordan Cameron is back to start after dealing with concussion issues and in Week 15 he is the best option along with Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell and Andrew Hawkins as Manziel goes under center to start a game for the first time.
The Browns opted to start Manziel after the way Brian Hoyer has played in the past few weeks and now he is getting his first start of the season. According to Pro Football Talk, head coach Mike Pettine said a lot of thought went into the decision and that he feels comfortable with Manziel under center in Week 15. There is a chance that Hoyer starts again this season, but for the time being Manziel will be the starter and he could be a surprise fantasy option for owners in need of a QB. Manziel is also worth picking up in keeper/dynasty leagues. Manziel has a solid matchup with the Bengals this weekend and that will be a huge game for the AFC North division and will help settle the wild card race in the conference as well.
Manziel got his chance because of how badly Hoyer was playing, as the Browns were simply not scoring touchdowns and he continued to turn the ball over. Hoyer started this season without turning the ball over much, but that has changed in his last three games and that is why Pettine made a move. In the last six weeks Hoyer has had 10 picks and just three touchdowns and that is the nexus of things with Pettine. Hoyer has 3204 yards this season, but he has been completing only 55 percent of his passes and now has more interceptions than TDs.
Manziel now has the chance to start and for fantasy owners he is a strong option along with Josh Gordon, Terrance west and Isaiah Crowell. The running backs can be a gamble, but with Manziel starting for the first time, expect both players to get involved in the offense. Manziel has scored a rushing TD this season and he also led the team on an 80-yard drive against the Bills, scoring that TD on the drive. Manziel has the chance to put up some numbers and with Gordon now three weeks into his return, he should be better as well.
Gordon played in 80 percent of the snaps on Sunday against the Colts and that is a good sign, as he has been getting increased snaps each week since coming back. This season Gordon has 17 catches for 210 yards and a TD in three games played. Cameron has returned from a concussion and he is expected to be a top option for Manziel after making four catches on five targets last week. This season Cameron has been in and out of the lineup and he has just 17 catches in seven games with one TD for 291 yards on the year.
The Browns lost last week and while they are still in the playoff race, they basically need to win out for any chance of getting in. Manziel gives the team a boost on offense after how poorly Hoyer had been playing and Mike Pettine hopes it translates into wins.
