2005 NFL Draft 1st Rd. QB Comps: Should Johnny Manziel Sit This Year?

Jan 5, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Data Summary

An interesting group of QBs here. Smith started right away and had the most mediocre career while Rodgers was the last to start and has had the best career. 2.0 will be added to the career portion of QBs who started, as well as 1.0 to the first year and 2.0 to the 3 year arc. For the QBs who didn’t start their rookie year Rodgers will add 4.0 to the career arc but nothing more to the rest of the categories while Campbell will add 2.0 to both the 3 year and career categories.

Analysis

Rodgers is the “in our dreams” QB comparison for Manziel but would Browns fans be willing to wait 4 years for his first start? Rodgers obviously was developing behind a legend in Favre, which the Browns don’t have. That will change the dynamic quite a bit. The concern has to be looking at both Smith and Campbell, both players with the ability to move around in the pocket who haven’t succeeded overly well in the NFL. The one thing Smith and Campbell to reinforce is the need for stability. A great year by Manziel or Hoyer could lead Kyle Shanahan to looking for a head coaching job leaving the Browns grasping for a replacement. That will be a key component to Manziel’s development: Staff Consistency. Which is something the Browns haven’t had in a long time.

Do the paths of Campbell and Smith worry you for Manziel given the lack of stability in Cleveland’s history?