2011 NFL Draft: Is Julio Jones over A.J. Green Becoming More Likely?
2011 NFL Draft: Once a Distant Possibility, Could Julio Jones Over A.J. Green Really Happen?
In every NFL draft there are players who will be inevitably tied to one another because of where they rank on the big board and within their positions.
Recent examples include Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf in '99, Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers in '03 and Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy last year.
Cameron Newton and Blaine Gabbert might be the pick for this year's class, but receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Green have the juice to be the battle we remember.
And despite Green being the clear favorite for most of the draft process, could Jones be closing in or taking over the top receiver spot?
Let's get to a few reasons why Jones might be overtaking Green for the top receiver picked and who I think should and will get selected first.
The Bengals Like Jones
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If the Carolina Panthers were to draft a receiver No. 1 overall, then Green is the likely choice there.
However, let's assume they don't pick a receiver and go either defense or quarterback—a safe assumption at this point.
With that in mind, which team is most likely to take a receiver first? Probably the Cincinnati Bengals at pick No. 4.
From what we've heard out of Bengals camp, they might like Jones over Green. Here's what SI's Peter King said about the race:
""I'm told Cincinnati has gotten poor reviews of Green as a practice player and willing blocker. The Bengals new offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden, will demand his receivers block downfield. They have no trepidation about Jones on either score."
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Is this a for sure sign that the Bengals would pass on Green for Jones? No, obviously, but it does raise some eyebrows about which way they might go.
Is Jones the Safer Pick?
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This could depend on what you deem a "safe pick."
When I'm talking about safe receiver picks in the top 10, however, a few questions come to mind.
First, does the player have any serious character concerns? Both Jones and Green can check that off, even with Green's suspension to start the 2010 season.
But what kind of player is that receiver? Jones is more of a physical, possession type receiver who will go over the middle and make plays.
Green, on the other hand, is a fast and lanky vertical receiver who wants to stretch the field and gain big chunks of yards.
Which style makes a more "safe" receiver? I'd say the player who's more physical and makes his living in the intermediate range.
That's because it's likely that either receiver will be placed into a situation with inconsistent quarterback play, and it's easier to get the ball to a player like Jones than Green.
Jones Will Contribute in the Run Game
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In a review of players who's talent is so compared, even the slightest edge can come from dominating one category.
For Jones, that category could be run-blocking. ESPN's Mel Kiper said that Jones was the best blocking receiver he's ever graded. Obviously the same can't be said for Green.
However, you'd never picked one player over another simply because of one attribute that ranks as low as run-blocking.
Yet for a team like Cincinnati or Cleveland, it's something you have to consider. Jones is the clear winner in that category.
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Teams Fall in Love with Workouts
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Not all teams are run like the Oakland Raiders, but general managers can be falsely enamored with workout numbers.
If that's the case for one of the teams in the top half of the first round, Jones might have the edge over Green.
He blazed through the NFL combine in March, running the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds while measuring in at 220 pounds.
Afterward we found out that Jones accomplished all that with a stress fracture in his left foot.
Green had a good showing in Indianapolis, but he didn't give the "wow" factor like Jones did. I'm sure that workout will be in the back of the minds of GM's come Thursday.
Which Player SHOULD Go First?
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Despite the reasons for Jones going before Green, I'm going to agree with Jerry Rice on this one.
Green should be the first receiver taken. Here's what the Hall of Fame receiver had to say on the argument:
"“I would have to say A.J. Green because the guy, he makes plays. He makes plays and he doesn’t drop the ball as much and that’s part of Jones, what he’s going to have to work on, Julio Jones, he’s going to have to work on catching the football."
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It's hard to argue with his fist line. Jones will be a solid receiver for whoever takes him, but Green is going to make the big plays for your offense.
When you're picking in the top five, that's the kind of player you want.
Which Player WILL Go First?
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While there is some weight for Jones going before Green in Thursday's first round, nearly all the experts think that Green will be the first receiver off the board.
Kiper has him going to the Bengals, as does his fellow ESPN draftnik Todd McShay.
Both bring up the possibility of taking Jones, but they agree that Green's explosiveness and play-making ability set him apart.
I think the Bengals will have a tough choice when they get on clock Thursday night between Green and Jones, but ultimately Green will be too talented to pass over.
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