The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

Skinny: Green is the best prospect at any position in this draft class and it’s because he was born to be a wide receiver. He has a long frame with big hands, a tremendous wing span, and prototype height for the position. Green has an uncanny ability to make impossible catches and reel in the most heavily contested jump balls with regularity. He is a natural leader that not only carries himself like a pro but has been an offensive force in every single game he’s played in. Green isn’t overly creative in open space but has the tackle breaking ability and agility to evade defenders. Green is the most pro ready skill position player in this entire draft class because of his tremendous ball skills, concentration level, and natural athletic ability. He will instantly upgrade a team’s offense and make the quarterback he’s playing with fantasy relevant.

2010: The Georgia Bulldog heads what is one the strongest positions, especially at the top, among the Class of 2012. Green burst on the scene and earned firs team All-SEC honors as a true freshman after catching 56 passes for 963 yards—only two other Bulldogs have had better statistical seasons catching the football in the program’s history. While his numbers slipped a bit as a sophomore, that was due to the combination of Green missing three full games and the inconsistent play of first-year starter Joe Cox at quarterback. Unfortunately for Green there is no evidence that the SEC school will be better at the quarterback position in 2010. Barring something unforeseen, Green should be a high first-round pick when he decides he is ready for the NFL. The junior wide out is both steady and spectacular—he has the look of a number one wide receiver at the next level. Green is impossible to cover one-on-one…even potential top-10 pick, cornerback Patrick Peterson, had some trouble when the two met last season as sophomores. Our number three overall prospect for 2011 can stretch the field with his length (6’4”) or use his elusiveness to make things happen after the catch. As long as he can bulk up—at 205 pounds Green is light for a man of his size—the Georgia product should continue to dominate as a junior. It will be very difficult for him to pass up NFL riches at the conclusion of the 2010 college season.

SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: At 6’4” and 200-plus pounds A.J. Green is about to enter his junior season as Georgia’s main offensive threat. Green is almost impossible to cover one-on-one as his short-area burst, height and leaping ability are simply too much for one defensive back to handle. Green might not have the elite top-end speed many are expecting him to have (4.3); it is clearly more than functional as we believe it to be in the 4.4-range. He shows exceptional ability at finding soft spots in zone coverage and even when he is engaged in tight coverage, Green’s impressive frame, leaping ability, aggressiveness and mid-air acrobatics allow him to come down with jump balls. A one-time state champ on the hardwood, this Bulldog knows how to box out defenders. Green’s extreme athleticism makes him perhaps college football’s most natural catcher of difficult passes since Calvin Johnson. In other words, Green’s window to catch the ball is huge. He isn’t just tall; he has spider-man-long arms and legs that give him an almost springy bounce to his run and seemingly endless reach. The junior wide out also has big, soft hands and is capable of making catches in stride and over his shoulder. He is difficult to jam at the line of scrimmage as his arms and quickness prevent opposing corners from getting their hands into his chest. Green also has great pro-style experience in terms of coaching, scheme and quarterback play. He can also make an impact on special teams, which he displayed last season by blocking a fourth quarter field goal attempt in a tie game.

Cons: The junior receiver is thin and will need to bulk up before he moves on to the NFL. Even at the college level Green hasn’t been much of a threat for yards after contact. Not only does Green lack the strength and bulk to break tackles, he often doesn’t try, instead choosing to slide to the turf or dart for the sideline. His lack of prototypical bulk (215-220 pounds for his frame) could also lead to durability concerns—the Bulldog pass catcher missed three games as a sophomore due to injury. Green missed one game after he suffered a bruised lung/injured rib and then two more with a shoulder injury to end the regular season before he returned for the Independence Bowl. At his current weight and strength Green will have a limited route tree in the NFL; it remains to be seen whether or not he can take the pounding associated with going over the middle.

Our View: Even the top defenses in the SEC (Florida, Alabama, Tennessee) weren’t able to slow down the South Carolina native, which is why he may be the most dangerous offensive weapon in college football heading into the 2010 season. While Green has to get stronger and heavier, he is still an elite prospect entering his junior season. Green has almost everything that scouts look for: height, hands, pro-style experience and athleticism. Few players in the NFL currently combine Green’s height and agility and as such he has the potential to develop into a scheme-busting #1 wide receiver. If Green continues to progress and has a productive, healthy junior season, he’s a lock for the top-15 in 2011 and could very well crack the top five. His numbers dipped slightly in 2009 (53 receptions, 808 yards, six touchdown receptions, 15.2 YPC)) from his true freshman season (56 receptions, 963 yards, eight touchdown receptions, 17.2 YPC) when Matthew Stafford was throwing him the pigskin. Whether or not the first team All-SEC performer contends for All-America honors and the Biletnikoff Award (he was one of ten semifinalists in 2009) will depend on the quarterback play at Georgia, which appears to be in flux heading into the 2010 campaign.

NEWS

11/26/10 - Georgia fans should enjoy watching Bulldogs playmaker A.J. Green while they still can. That’s because it is widely assumed that Green, projected by the NFL Draft Bible as a top five overall pick, has already decided to take his talents to the NFL.  "There is a possibility it could be my last game," Green said, "but I'm not really thinking about that yet. I've got a couple more weeks and whatever to make that big decision." The 6’3 ½, 207-pound  junior wide out continues to wreak havoc in the SEC this season, scoring nine touchdowns in seven games played. For his career, the physical Green has accumulated 2,445 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns, starting 26 of his 30 games played. He is the consensus No. 1 draft eligible wide receiver on the NFL Draft Bible big board, which includes underclassmen. Speaking to league executives around the league, Green is expected to be the most explosive wide receiver to come from the college ranks since Calvin Johnson, who was the No. 2 overall pick of the Detroit Lions in 2007.

11/18/10 - A.J. Green knows that Georgia’s regular-season finale, a week from Saturday against Georgia Tech, could be his final game at Sanford Stadium. But if it is, the star receiver isn’t saying it. “Not yet. I haven’t even made that decision yet,” Green said of whether he would enter the NFL draft. He added that such a decision will not come until after a bowl if Georgia plays in one. Green is projected as a high first-round pick if he leaves and perhaps the first receiver taken. But there’s also the prospect of an NFL lockout. “That’s really gonna play a big part in my decision,” Green said. “Because if they’re talking about a lockout, there’s really no point in me leaving.”

09/16/10 - The man accused of buying UGA receiver A.J. Green’s jersey is facing drug charges from an April 2009 arrest in Georgia. Chris Hawkins, 28, is charged with felony trafficking of cocaine and misdemeanor marijuana possession stemming from the incident, according to the Georgia State Patrol. Hawkins spent 20 days in jail before posting $50,000 bond. The former North Carolina and Marshall defensive back, who bought the jersey that led to Green’s four-game NCAA suspension, is due in court on the drug charges next month. Green has missed two games for selling the Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000. An NCAA committee is expected to hear Georgia’s appeal of the suspension Friday. — Atlanta Journal-Constitution

09/08/10 - Georgia junior WR A.J. Green, arguably the top prospect at the position for the 2010 draft, has been declared ineligible for three more games by the NCAA for violations stemming from his acceptance of benefits from an agent. Green reportedly sold his bowl game jersey to an individual whom the NCAA defines as an agent. Green has also reportedly repaid the $1,000 or so he received for the jersey to charity. Meanwhile, NCAA members schools reportedly continue to plot how to maximize the millions they receive in TV revenues from the efforts of the likes of Green through conference restructuring!

08/29/10 - Green is projected as a high first-round NFL draft pick if he leaves after this season. Not that he still isn't trying to add to his arsenal. "I'm just getting better, putting some more tools in my tool box," Green said. "Getting more explosive, getting out of my breaks a little quicker. Little stuff like that." It's Tony Ball's job to squeeze as much as he can out of Green's immense talents. The Bulldogs receivers coach this offseason challenged the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Green to learn more of the offense, to become more mobile as a receiver by studying defenses from the inside receiver position to "broaden his knowledge base."  Green has 109 catches for 1,772 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career. Both ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. rate Green as the No. 4 overall prospect for the 2011 NFL draft. "You just can't get caught up in the hype and all that stuff," Green said. "You're still in college. You've still got another year, man. There's nothing like college. When you get in that real world, it's nothing but business. Around here, it's just fun and games. You can have fun hanging out with your friends." – OnlineAthens.com

12/25/09 - Georgia is blending receiver A.J. Green back into its mix for Monday’s Independence Bowl. Green will have gone more than six weeks without playing in a game when he takes the field against Texas A&M. He separated his shoulder in the first half of the Nov. 14 game against Auburn and missed the loss to Kentucky and win over Georgia Tech. The sophomore easily leads Georgia with 47 catches, but had only nine in the second half of the season. He missed three and half games due to injury, including one game because of a bruised lung. Georgia has Green again for probably one more season after this one, but Green isn’t thinking about leaving for the NFL Draft after next season quite yet. "Oh, man, I’m just having fun out here," Green said. "Day by day, getting my education, making new friends, it’s fun around here, man. I’ll worry about that next year when it comes. About this time." – Boston Herald

11/03/09 - The Bulldogs’ star wide out suffered a “pulmonary contusion” against the Florida Gators on Saturday, which knocked him out of the game. Green is out for this week, although coach Mark Richt has stated he expects his sophomore wide receiver to return on November 14 against the Auburn Tigers: We do. We're not 100-percent certain but the history of this type of an injury by the second week everybody has played to this point, so we don't have any reason to think that he won't.” – Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt

10/26/09 - Georgia sophomore flanker A.J. Green has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2009 Biletnikoff Award, according to an announcement from the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation. The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate receiver. The award is named for Fred Biletnikoff, who was an All-American receiver at Florida State before becoming a member the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. The next vote for the top three finalists will take place Nov. 16 and close on Nov. 19. A third vote starting on Dec. 4 will determine this year’s winner. Green, a 6-4, 207-pound native of Summerville, S.C., is leading the Southeastern Conference in total receiving yards (682), receiving yards per game (97.4) and receptions per game (5.9) through the Bulldogs first seven games. Green is tied for the league lead with six receiving touchdowns. He has a pair of 100-yard receiving games this season (137-Arkansas, 153-Arizona State) and has four career games with more than 100 yards receiving. In addition, Green blocked his first career field goal late in the fourth quarter against the Arizona State to help secure Georgia’s win. Green is the only player from the SEC picked as a semifinalist. - University of Georgia