2004 NFL Draft 1st Rd. QB Comps: Should Johnny Manziel Sit This Year?

Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) scrambles with the ball as Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard (97) pursues during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Data Summary

3 of the 4 QBs are Franchise Guys but went about it in different ways. Rivers and Losman’s data will be added to the QBs who did not start their rookie year. While Manning and Big Ben will add positive data to the group of QBs who have started their rookie season.

Analysis

Philip Rivers and Drew Brees is the best case scenario for the Browns with Manziel and Hoyer. If Hoyer can have a couple good seasons while Manziel develops the Browns can then move on to Hoyer. Rivers data will be off-set by the Losman data while Manning and Big Ben will add to the group of QBs who started off pretty quickly and were excellent for their careers. Take Losman out of this group and the numbers would be more beneficial to Manziel not starting. Yet that is why we are doing such a long range study so that we can get good data with a good sample size. Manning had the pedigree as well as the size while Roethlisberger had the size as well as the conservative offensive approach of the Steelers. Manziel will have a stellar defense and hopefully good running game to compare to Big Ben if he does start his rookie season.

Do you see Rivers or Manning/Roethlisberger as a better comparison for rookie expectations for Manziel?