Browns GM: I'd still take Manziel in first round if I could do it over

Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer said Tuesday that if he could do it over, he'd still pick quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round.

Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer said Tuesday that if he could do it over, he'd still pick quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first round, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland. 

The Browns drafted the Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 22 pick in May's NFL draft. Manziel lost a training camp starting quarterback competition to Brian Hoyer and has appeared in two games so far, playing five snaps and attempting one pass. 

"I do think [Manziel] can be a starter in this league," Farmer said.  

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Last week, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said he can sense Manziel is "frustrated" with his current role on the team, something the rookie disputed two days later. 

"I feel like I'm in the role that I need to be at this time," Manziel said.

Manziel won the Heisman in 2012 after throwing for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman at Texas A&M. He followed it up with 4,114 yards and 37 touchdown passes in 2013 before declaring for the draft. 

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While Hoyer remains the starter for now, Farmer suggested things could change depending on how the team decides to handle his contract.

"(Hoyer's) contract expires at the end of the season. Johnny's doesn't. We'll see what happens between now and then," he said.

The Browns (5-3) play the Bengals (5-2-1) on the road on Thursday. 

- Molly Geary