WR- A.J. Green
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 212 lbs.
Great Fit For: Bengals, Rams, Patriots

A.J. Green definitely has the size and speed to succeed in the pros. At 6’4”, 212 lbs. running a 4.38 with fantastic hands Green is virtually the unanimous #1 WR prospect in this draft (Julio Jones rounds out the #2 spot).  Playing in Georgia’s pro style offense Green has warranted himself a talent worthy of being selected in the top 5, and if not for team needs Green could arguably go between 1 and 5 in any other draft.

Green is an above average speedster with a terrific amount of agility, his ability to cut and change direction is almost unrivaled amongst WR prospects making him a true threat in the open field. These skills naturally allow for Green to consistently create separation from DBs even though he does not have the quickest release off of the line (he does have a unique ability to reach top speed quite quickly however).

As a route runner Green is a talented individual, he is great in and out of his breaks, has a unique way of dealing with DBs, and most importantly is a playmaker.  Green consistently made difficult catch after difficult catch in his career as a Bulldog showcasing his astounding hands and ability to snatch the ball from mid-air anywhere within – or without – his immediate arm reach.

However in making said plays Green has often been criticized by scouts as a WR who may often improvise routes, something that may not sit well with coaching staffs in the NFL.  As a 6’4” 212 lb. specimen Green clearly has the ability to bulk up and may find it a necessity in the pros in order to out muscle the stronger DBs in the league and to simply avoid injury to his narrow frame.

In addition to the need for bulk and an improvement in his route running, Green also needs to master the release. Green often beat out collegiate level DBs by using his ability to quickly attain top speed, not by flat-out beating them at the line of scrimmage. This must be addressed as he progresses if Green wants to be a household name in the NFL.

In my opinion Green is the #1 WR prospect in this years draft. If not for Carolina, Denver, and Buffalo’s inadequacies Green could have been selected 1^st overall. He should be able to enter the league and see a progressively consistent amount of production over his first few seasons. Green is likely to be a top 5 pick, and is a lock to go in the top 10 unless a team like the Bengals were to pull the old “Darius Heyward-Bey” and select Alabama’s Julio Jones prior to the highly touted prospect.

In my most recent mock I have the Bengals selecting Green with the fourth overall selection; once they hammer out their QB situation Green could be an essential fit for Cincy, as T.O. and Ocho have both expressed desires to play elsewhere rounding out a WR core with Jerome Simpson, And Jordan Shipley, the Bengals would have a deadly young core of talent at the position. If the shocker were to occur, and Julio Jones were to be selected prior, Green could find sanctum in St. Louis giving Sam Bradford a much needed deep threat. And although I don’t expect Green to slip this far, if he were to, he would be a stellar fit with the Patriots. Not just because of Tom Brady’s ability to hit him anywhere on the field, but also due to a Patriot mandate that seems to rely on the constant rebuilding of their offense and defense.