Feb
2
2011
It’s not very often that a receiver comes along that is as smooth, dynamic, and as long as A.J. Green. After coming to Georgia as a highly touted recruit, Green paired with 2009 1st Overall pick Matthew Stafford to form an electric 1-2 combination. The Bulldogs weren’t shy using him as a freshman as he was featured in the deep, vertical passing game, across the middle of the field, and working the sidelines beyond the sticks. Though he came to school a bit raw, Green has obviously worked hard to become a crisp route-runner. He’s developed moves to beat the jam and he shows the elusiveness after the catch needed to create big plays from next to nothing.
What makes A.J. Green a truly special prospect is his incredible catching radius, which ranked second to none at the college level. Green is sudden, he’s fluid, and he’s gifted in jump-ball situations, but where he really shocks you is the type of plays he can make away from his body. Simply put, if you put the ball in his zip code he’s going to come down with it. He shows exceptional hands, body-control, and awareness all packaged with tremendous natural length at 6’4. Coming into college, Green was a bit slight in stature but it looks as if he’s made efforts to add muscle mass and I wouldn’t be shocked if he weighed in around 215 by the Combine.
This season he was once again without much in terms of a supporting cast in Georgia’s offense. Freshman Quarterback Aaron Murray played admirably, but Green’s numbers would have looked absolutely gaudy had he gotten to play with him two years from now. He is the most proven receiver in the class with an extreme amount of talents and very little weakness as a player. It’s not likely that A.J. Green will get past Cincinnati at 4th Overall.
Pros
+ Catching radius is incredible; can catch anything in his area & above his head
+ Can make any play; goes vertical, across the middle, works the sideline
+ Extremely fluid; moves very smoothly, gets in and out of breaks well
+ Top body control in the air and on the sideline
+ Shows excellent awareness; very aware in the air, of defensive backs, and of his position on the field
+ Tall (6’4) and long-limbed
+ Elite deep threat; will always be a weapon over the top
+ Great concentration, tracks the ball into his hands
+ Good leaper with long arms; can really climb the ladder to bring a ball down
+ Very fast for his size; long-legged, creates separation & isn’t caught from behind
+ Elusive after the catch; can make the first defender miss and spring plays
+ Beats the jam with moves, hands, and suddenness
+ Good understanding of the game; finds soft spots in the defense
+ Makes tough plays in traffic, will come down with contested balls
+ A matchup nightmare, has given Patrick Peterson all he can handle
+ Greatly improved route runner with experience in an NFL-style offense
+ Runs hard with the ball in his hands and is tough to bring down
+ Very dedicated, competitive, & smart with a desire to be the best
+ Good effort, always plays hard and is a wiling run-blocker
+ Impressive college production against SEC competition
Cons
- Slightly over-aged, will be a 23 year old rookie
- Needs to continue to add muscle to his frame
- Missed four games in 10’ due to suspension
- Leaving college without putting up 1,000 yards or 10 Td’s once
- Would benefit from more reps crossing the middle of the field
- Slight injury history: hurt shoulder in 09’. Missed three games
- May not be blessed with sprinter’s speed, needs to continue to develop his complete game
Why the Panthers will select A.J. Green First Overall
Carolina went and used their first pick last season (51st Overall) on Quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Though he struggled in 2010, it was apparent the team was receiving lackluster play from the Wide Receiver position. Steve Smith may not be washed up, but he’s far from a #1 receiver and his future with the team may be in jeopardy. A.J. Green may very well be the best prospect in this draft class and as close to a sure thing as you’ll have. If the team chooses to go forward with Clausen, they’ll want to do everything possible to help the young signal-caller. Green is a future top-tier receiver in the NFL and gives the Panthers a #1 target for the next decade.
Ryan Lownes
Ryan is currently an undergraduate student at Ohio University pursuing a degree in Sport Management. He has been attending the NFL Draft in New York City since 2005 and has aspirations of a career in scouting. He is currently a draft writer and analyst on the Draft Breakdown team, posting his latest rankings, mock drafts, scouting reports, and more. Be sure to follow Ryan on twitter for year-round NFL Draft analysis.
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Newton will NEVER happen in Carolina. Owner Jerry Richardson places a PREMIUM on character, and by all accounts that is an issue with the Newton family.
Additionally your notion that the panthers need an upgrade at just about every position is absurd. They had 3 pro bowlers this years. LG, C, and MLB, are all strengths. Actually, when healthy their OL has a whole is one of the best in the NFC. They were not healthy this year. Pair that with the 1-2 punch of Deangelo (also not healthy this year), and J-Stew, you have a formidable offense. Panthers issues the last few years was the meddling, conservative, stubborn head coach. Panthers have the talent to open it up with some offensive creativity. Biggest problem was and will be QB play. That determines everything.
“Biggest problem was and will be QB play” – “Pair that with the 1-2 punch of Deangelo (also not healthy this year), and J-Stew, you have a formidable offense” …. I don’t think you can try to say their biggest problem is and will be the QB position then claim to have a formidable offense. They were 13th in the league running the ball, yet dead last in passing which dragged them down to dead last in the NFL in total offense. They have some pieces there, as you mentioned on the OL and RB, but the main thing holding the Carolina Panthers back from winning this past year & next year (if they choose not to address it.)
I made the comment about the team being able to upgrade anywhere as it relates to the 1st Overall pick. You listed the team strengths, but consider the weaknesses at QB, DT, WR, TE, CB, DE, OLB, and RG. All the players I listed above in my article fill big voids for Carolina. In fact, the Top 10 players on my current board all would fill needs for your Panthers. So their team needs really can’t help you narrow down the prospects Carolina could pick at #1. There isn’t a #1 Overall caliber MLB or RB out there, so there isn’t anyone you can simply write-off.
Additionally, I think the Panthers will face the task of identifying Cameron Newton’s actual character concerns. Personally, it looks to me like Cecil Newton is the guy with all the red flags. If Cam continues to let his Dad pull the strings, however, it may convince the league of his lack of maturity. Still, you sit the guy down in a room one-on-one and get a feel for him as a person. A lot of people have found the guy to have a charming personality with a passion for the game. I think you need to sit him down and get a feel for how coachable the guy is and what he’s got right now in terms of a football IQ. I expect we’ll hear some feedback from coaches/scouts on Newton’s character & personality by March or so.
Out of this group, I personally think Nick Fairley has the most concerning character. He’ll still likely be drafted Top 5, but at 1st Overall his professionalism and intelligence has to be a big concern. I really just have a hard time envisioning him convince the Panthers (with words) that he’s the right pick for them at #1. Will probably come down to Bowers and Newton (assuming Cam makes the right moves from now to April.)
So you don’t want to post my previous comment? Why would the Panthers draft another qb project??? You forget that Clausen was Hurney’s call, Hurney is still GM… despite the horrible season they will try to work with Clausen and bring in a veteran qb. Quit sucking off Newton, he will be lucky to be drafted in the top 15.
The panthers will try to trade the pick, if they can’t they will draft Fairley. Yes there are concerns, but Rivera is a disciplinarian he will mold Nick into a beast. If the panthers go after a qb, it will be a cheap veteran most likely Billy Volek.
Who in the world would consider trading up to this 1st Pick? There is absolutely no trade market for the pick. If the Panthers wanted to get rid of it the only way that MIGHT work would be letting the 10 minute clock run out. Also, what project QB do the Panthers have? 2010 6th Rounder Tony Pike? Jimmy Clausen was a guy that came to the league from a pro-style offense with good throwing mechanics, if he was a guy that had the talent to play in the league he should be able to fit in relatively early. I think he still has the talent, but I don’t know that he the mental makeup to lead a team and win games in the NFL. To consider Carolina’s taking a QB with the 1st pick, you have to acknowledge it’s not like Clausen was any kind of a big investment, earning roughly $750,000 a year. They were already committed to leaving Clausen if Andrew Luck had declared.
As soon as Carolina goes after that cheap veteran I’ll be changing my tune. The whole point of writing the article was because the pick is wide open at this point. With QB being the teams obvious achilles heel, the position is likely to be the team’s first priority. As it stands right now, it’s the biggest question mark for the Panthers. I don’t see them going after Cam if they go out and sign a QB. If I were that stubborn I don’t think I’d have chosen to include and profile four different players.
Also, I’m fine with people grading Newton outside the Top 15-20, I can see why. Still, I’m pretty sure at this point that he’ll be the first QB drafted, likely among the draft’s Top 5 picks. If Carolina doesn’t take him, Buffalo and Arizona also look like great landing spots for him. Personally, I think the character issues are just a little overblown by fans and his upside exceeds perhaps any other player in this draft class. He’s got a ways to go, though, before I feel comfortable putting him on the field. Could really thrive if given 8-16 games with the clipboard.
The way Richardson treats brees and manning imagine what he would do to Newton haha!