2014 Quarterback Class Making the Jump

Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel was taken No. 22 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft to solve the Cleveland Browns quarterback woes. They already had a good offensive line anchored by left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack. Then they had mercurial but troubled receiver Josh Gordon so all they need on offense at the time was a quarterback.

But instead of teaming up with Gordon to do great things, he teamed up with him to get in trouble. And such trouble lead to Gordon being suspended for the year and Manziel checking himself into alcohol rehab. He would come out of rehab a changed man, working hard to get better but Josh McCown was acquired and made the starter.

When McCown was knocked out in Week 1 this year, Manziel came in and flashed but didn’t have a great game. Then in Week 2, with all the starters reps in practice, he beat the Tennessee Titans and Dick LeBeau’s defense. Manziel completed only 53 percent of his passes in the game for 172 yards but he had a quarterback rating of 133.9 and two bombs for touchdowns.

If Manziel can play the way he did Sunday all the way through, the Browns will be a factor.

Next: Teddy Bridgewater