Should fantasy owners start Johnny Manziel?
No. Well, yes. Kind of. Like a long-distance relationship, it's complicated.
One on hand, Johnny Football is a complete unknown with all of nine pass attempts this season. Chances are you have a better, more quantifiable option on your roster already. Manziel is a rookie making his first career start and that usually doesn't add up to fantasy success.
But on the other hand, he is playing the Cincinnati Bengals who have allowed fellow rookie passer Blake Bortles to toss 247 yards and two touchdowns against them. Manziel also has quality running ability, as evidenced by his 10-yard scamper for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.
"In a two-QB league, I would absolutely fire him up in my lineup," ESPN's Christopher Harris wrote. "In standard leagues, I would have to be a pretty huge underdog with a bad depth chart to make that leap."
Pay McManamon also weighed in on the start 'em/sit 'em question.
"The last time a rookie quarterback started for a winning team this late in an NFL season, Kirk Cousins lit up the Cleveland Browns for 329 yards and two touchdowns. His offensive coordinator: Kyle Shanahan, the same coordinator who will prepare Johnny Manziel this week. Can Manziel do what Cousins did? Odds say not likely. Playing Manziel is the most extreme risk/reward example out there. It could pay off handsomely or could be a waste."
Well, there you have it, folks. A complete non-answer from several sources. While I advocated that Manziel was worth a roster spot earlier this season, I wouldn't start him just yet in one-QB leagues. I believe he's got huge upside for fantasy purposes, but I'm playing this one conservatively. I need to see Johnny Football light it up from start to finish in a game before I'm comfortable starting him in the fantasy playoffs.
