The Cleveland Browns likely will not trade Johnny Manziel after the season, as Brian Hoyer has shown he is not a long term option and now Manziel will look to bounce back in Week 16 after his first start and heading into the game with the Carolina Panthers, players like Josh Gordon, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West are the best options to start for fantasy football owners.
The Browns and Manziel were completely manhandled by the Bengals last week in a 30-0 shutout at home and now they have the Panthers on the road. Manziel will be under center again and after this game the team finishes the season with the Ravens. Hoyer had been playing well to start the season and he had the Browns in playoff contention, but some poor play down the stretch doomed any chance at that. The team now comes in with Manziel taking over and it's likely he sticks around over Hoyer, as Hoyer is set to be a free agent.
Many wondered whether the Browns would sign Hoyer long term after the way he started the season, but after going 1-4 over the past five games, the team likely is sticking it out with Manziel. Hoyer is going to get some attention on the market and there is a good chance the Browns let him go. Over the past six games he has played, Hoyer has passed for three TDs and 10 interceptions and it's likely he doesn't play again this season.
Manziel did not have a great game and while many have piled on him for that, he is just a rookie and should only get better with more experience. This season Manziel has one rushing TD and two picks with 143 yards passing and he comes in after completing 10-of-18 passes for 80 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions against Cincy. The Browns and Mike Pettine have spoken highly of Manziel and his work ethic and they are prepared for him to start the rest of the season.
The return of Josh Gordon has been a big help and he comes in with 20 catches for 258 yards in four games this season. Gordon is a star in the making and next season with a full year between Manziel and Gordon the Browns could bounce back in a big way. For the final weeks of fantasy both of those players are worth checking out and Manziel is a strong keeper option in leagues, as he was likely a low draft pick or free agent pickup.
The Browns have Josh Gordon back and he has been playing well since returning and that makes him a top fantasy option for the rest of the year, with final games coming over the next two weeks. Hoyer now likely will not sign a new contract after he struggled over the past few weeks and now Manziel is in as the starter. Hoyer will have attention on the free agent market and that makes the rookie the QB of the future for the franchise moving forward. The Browns come into the game at 7-7 and out of the playoffs hunt after losing the last three games.
