Brian Hoyer 2014 Season Outlook

For two weeks last year, Brian Hoyer was one of the best stories in the National Football League. Hoyer, a Cleveland-area native who had made his way home after several NFL stops, led the 0-2 Browns to a pair of victories over Minnesota and Cincinnati. And for Cleveland fans, .500 is pretty awesome! Unfortunately for Hoyer and the Browns, he suffered a torn ACL against Buffalo and was lost for the season. Cleveland’s new regime brought Hoyer back, but then drafted hotshot Texas A&M rookie Johnny Manziel. Can Hoyer somehow keep Johnny Football on the bench?

2014 Upside

Cleveland’s top receiver heading into the season is tight end Jordan Cameron. In Hoyer’s starts last year, he had excellent chemistry with Cameron. Three of Hoyer’s five touchdown passes went to the talented tight end. Left tackle Joe Thomas provides good blindside protection. While Johnny Football is the future, he has not looked all that great during the preseason, maybe because he was spending too much of his offseason partying with losers like Justin Bieber and not enough time with the playbook. Hoyer could keep the job if he gets hot. At least the Browns know the solid intangibles he brings to the table.

2014 Downside

Unfortunately, any real chance Hoyer had of putting up big numbers vanished when superstar receiver Josh Gordon was officially suspended for the season. Without Gordon, the Browns will be relying on runners Ben Tate and Terrance West as their breadwinners. Cleveland’s early season schedule prior to their week four bye (Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Baltimore) will not enhance Hoyer’s remote chances of keeping the starting job, especially since the new coaching staff and front office has no true loyalty to Brian, since he was brought in by former executive Mike Lombardi. They will almost assuredly force-feed Johnny Football into the lineup at some point.

Bottom Line

Even in two-quarterback leagues, the deck is stacked against Hoyer being a fantasy contributor. He will land on the waiver wire in pretty much every league and barring something dramatic, he is going to remain there through the end of the season.