A.J. Green could be No. 1 overall pick in NFL draft
A.J. Green could be Georgia's second No. 1 overall NFL draft pick in the last three years, joining Matthew Stanford.
With Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck announcing that he’s returning to school for another season, there’s only one question: Does A.J. Green send him a thank you note?
If Green says he’s coming back to Georgia, it would be even more stunning than Luck’s decision. I follow this general rule: When a college player sells his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000, he’s ready to make money.
By Luck staying in school, Green could be the first overall pick. That would give Georgia two first overall selections in the last three years (Matthew Stafford went No. 1 to Detroit in 2008.) It would be a nice honor for the school but there also could be a sense of, “Why didn’t we do more with them?”
Green is considered a lock top-five selection. ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Green as the fourth best prospect on his current “Big Board” (requires Insider subscription), behind Luck, Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers and Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley.
With no other quarterback worthy of being drafted first overall, there’s no obvious No. 1 pick. But several mock drafts already have Green slotted in the No. 1 spot and going to the Carolina Panthers. Excerpts from a couple of them:
– The Orlando Sentinel: “Carolina has got to be upset that Andrew Luck, who was a lock here, is returning to Stanford. They could go with a defensive lineman here, but they are hurting bad at wide receiver and may take Green as an athletic, flashy pick to try and help Jimmy Clausen and pacify a restless fan base.”
– NFL Fanhouse: “So Andrew Luck won’t be the QB in Carolina next season. It’s a bad development for the Panthers, obviously, but what can you do? In this case, Carolina will either ride Jimmy Clausen or add a veteran QB (Vince Young? Donovan McNabb?) — either way, the Panthers need to give that quarterback some weapons. Green is an absolute stud.
Based on recent first overall picks and inflation, Luck left potentially $55 million of guaranteed salary on the table (pending changes in the next CBA that could cap rookie salaries). Two years ago, Stafford signed a contract worth up to $78 million, with $41.7 million guaranteed.
Maybe he and Green can build a library on campus or something.
– By Jeff Schultz
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698 comments Add your comment
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:04 am
Carolina will try like hell to trade down, but there will be no takers. Had Luck come out, there would be a few teams willing to trade up for the spot; but no one is going to give up extra draft picks just for the privilege of overpaying one of these other guys.
Love Mark Richt-Hate Coach Richt
January 7th, 2011
10:05 am
I think Green is the most talented Dawg since Herschel.
Gatorman
January 7th, 2011
10:05 am
I think he could, but the teams with the higher picks need QB’s, and only for that reason could he drop. I wish the Falcons could get him, but should not trade away picks to get him. Right now they best go after a shut down corner (draft or free agency), as that may be their biggest weakness.
gomdawg
January 7th, 2011
10:06 am
WHO GIVES A DAMN WHERE THEY GO IN DRAFT THEY LEAVE EARLY THEY DID NOT LIVE UP TO THEIR COMMENTMENT TO UGA SO IF THEY DONT CARE ABOUT UGA THEN THE HELL WITH THEM. THEY NEED THEIR EDUCATION . IF THEY DONT COME TO SCHOOL TO GET THEIR EDUCATION THEN WHY,I MEAN WHY DO WE KEEP GIVING THEY KIDS A FREE PAST TO NFL.
RDUCK
January 7th, 2011
10:07 am
totally agree about taking the WR RambleOn.. If you can’t get him the ball, he is useless.
RDUCK
January 7th, 2011
10:09 am
it will be hard to trade down, but all you need is for 1 team to fall in love with a player for it to happen. that would be their best bet if they can make it happen..
gomdawg
January 7th, 2011
10:09 am
I WOULD NOT GIVE A KID A OFFER UNLESS HE SAYS HE WILL STAY A FULL 4 YEARS , IF WE RED SHIRT HIM THAT’S ON US.
Charles Patterson
January 7th, 2011
10:10 am
Bowers from Clemson will be number one pick. Why even write this article?…he’s number 5 on McShay’s big board and he’s only been wrong about one thing that I can remember and that’s Tim Tebow. He hated Tim Tebow from the beginning anyways. Panthers need to get better on defense first. They are close on defense. If they can retain Steve Smith and Deangelo Williams…they have some really nice pieces on offense. Gettis and LaFell are good young receivers and Goodson is a vert good young RB. They need a Defensive end because they will probably lose Charles Johnson and his career high 9 sacks to someone who will over-pay him. If the Panthers want Green…they will trade out of the number one pick down to someone who has multiple picks to give.
Cheers
TONE
January 7th, 2011
10:10 am
rumor is( sources say) that UGA is offering Cecil Newton the roll of Director of Freshman development if this is true the rest of the college football world is in trouble.
A new meaning for don’t ask don’t tell
Sports Review
January 7th, 2011
10:11 am
[...] AJ Green could be No. 1 overall pick in NFL draft – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
4th and Long Gone
January 7th, 2011
10:12 am
To all those who are saying that Carolina should trade down, I agree, but who is going to trade up? No one will want to have to pay #1 in the draft money to any of the remaining players. Without an obvious #1, the value of the pick is diminished greatly.
jarvis
January 7th, 2011
10:13 am
I’m sure the demise of my beloved Bulldogs is mostly responsible, but I find myself agreeing with Fish Bisch. The college game is very much on my nerves at the moment.
Spread out worthless bowls, and a Championship that has to be debated. Sure a sport that causes debate and controversy annually is very unique, but so was John Wayne Gacy’s basement. That doesn’t make it good.
SE Dawg Fan
January 7th, 2011
10:14 am
It would only make sense for Cam to go to Charlotte, the banking capital of the Southeast. Many banks to choose from for hiding money received from Auburn. Cam and Fairley – wow…two outstanding players with dirty game tactics and outside deals.
jarvis
January 7th, 2011
10:16 am
Gatorman your assessment of the Falcons biggest need being a corner is off. We have aging starters at Tight End, pass rushing Defensive End, and Middle Linebacker. 40 is around the corner for all three. We need to refill the cupboard.
We have a cornerback that no one throws at on one side, and a CB with half a dozen picks on the other. I think we are good for a while on that front.
4th and Long Gone
January 7th, 2011
10:19 am
@gomdawg – “I WOULD NOT GIVE A KID A OFFER UNLESS HE SAYS HE WILL STAY A FULL 4 YEARS , IF WE RED SHIRT HIM THAT’S ON US.”
So you would have rather not had Herschel? He only stayed 3 years and was not redshirted. Wow, Clemson fans wish you had been advising Vince back then.
Besides, it wouldn’t be enforceable, so it would just be his word. Sort of like verbal commitments during the recruiting, before the Letter of Intent is signed. Probably meant in good faith, but when something better comes along, …
GTBob
January 7th, 2011
10:20 am
You don’t draft a wide receiver #1 overall when you have significant QB issues. Carolina will try to trade down, hopefully for a veteran QB. If they can’t then they will take Fairley or Bowers and try to pick up a veteran QB on the market. Either way Clausen is not going to be their QB of the future. The guy is not very good. Luck staying in college was a pretty bad blow for them.
AlabamaKnowItAll
January 7th, 2011
10:20 am
I have a question…..Is AJ Green truly the best receiver in the draft? I think he is an excellent player but he needs to gain a few pounds of muscle…..He reminds me of Randy Moss (6′4 190lbs tall, thin frame)..Julio Jones has an NFL WR build (6′4 225lbs) but I wouldn’t take him #1 overall….Guess that leaves a DE or DT (Bowers or Fairley)….Mel Kiper seems to be high on AJ and we know he has been wrong in the past numerous times…..
Joe Tess Fish House
January 7th, 2011
10:21 am
No way AJ Green go #1 over all. Hes a thug cheater and criminal.
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:21 am
jarvis,
Curtis Lofton is aging? Could have fooled me…
I do agree we need a good pass rusher, but at #32, we will have to take the best choice available. A pass rusher, tight end, or possibly a speedy running back or wide receiver would be good need picks.
gadawgs
January 7th, 2011
10:22 am
blazerdawg..Good point. From what I understand Luck comes money and is not hurting but still taking a chance on getting hurt and throwing away $50 mil is crazy.
gadawgs
January 7th, 2011
10:25 am
Jarvis, our middle linebacker is I believe 25 and will be an all pro very soon. Gonzalez is still a stud and we are good there unless he decides to retire. Picking up a defensive end would not hurt because you can never have too many of those.
Dogz
January 7th, 2011
10:26 am
Paul H… That great reciever was absent by injury and stupidty half of his 2 years. AJ is a great talent, but proved not to be a leader for this team. If UCF can shut him down as he said, I believe the NFL can figure that out as well. I still say as great as athlete as he and Stafford are they both lack leadership.
D A Double U G
January 7th, 2011
10:26 am
NO WAY!!!!!
Why on Earth would Carolina pass on Josh Nesbitt, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner?????
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:27 am
GSU Eagle 91 (and for others who’ve asked). The last wide receiver taken first overall was Keyshawn Johnson (1996). Calvin Johnson went 2nd overall 3 years ago but would’ve gone first if Raiders had a brain. Instead they took JaMarcus Russell. … And while AJ may not be better than Calvin, 2 points: 1) They’re pretty close — AJ might be a better route runner; 2) It’s a different draft so you need to weigh AJ against other players in draft, not against Calvin.
jarvis
January 7th, 2011
10:27 am
Thanks RambleOn. Forgot MP was playing outside now.
Dangling_Fury
January 7th, 2011
10:28 am
Denver would be fun to watch with Tebow throwing to Demaryius Thomas on one side, AJ Green on the other with Knowshon in the backfield…
D A Double U G
January 7th, 2011
10:28 am
And Jeff,
AGAIN with your antagonistic stab of “Why couldn’t we do more with him”……
If you think offense was UGA’s problem durring his tenure, you sir, are a fool.
You prove my theory on a daily basis, that you know NOTHING about college football, and only try to upset the large fanbases in order to get more hits and drive up the cost of advertising space oin your blog(sic)
You truly should be ashamed.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:28 am
Bryan G — Maybe they pick up Vince Young.
Dawg_Mike
January 7th, 2011
10:29 am
…and with the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers select…Joshua Nesbitt from Georgia Tech.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:29 am
Paul H — Sorry, no Weekend Predictions this week. Ended last week.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:31 am
Blazerdawg — Economic situations have everything to do with it. Luck doesn’t need the money. Family is very well off. Dad is the AD at West Virginia and a Rhodes Scholar.
Dawg_Mike
January 7th, 2011
10:31 am
Anyone else agree that Knowshon has been a bust for the Broncos so far?
He could have used another year- are you listening Mr. Boykin and Mr. Houston?
GSU Eagle 91
January 7th, 2011
10:31 am
Reeves…
What position is Tebeau playing at this time? QB…
Cam is unique because he can throw the ball well, unless many so-called spread QB’s in college…He is also faster than any player an opposing defense will send after him ( except a CB or safety, who cannot bring him down) and his size keeps most defensive players from tackling him as we saw this season. I am talking about talking about SEC defenders, who generally make very good NFL players….he’ll put on a few more punds as he gets older, but he is a one time talent…Auburn is 7-5 without him….
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:31 am
Although Tony G is still a great player, he is not going to play forever. For that reason we need to establish our tight end of the future and we need him soon so he can learn under the best.
Is Justin Peelle that guy? Maybe. He has shown a lot of improvement, but he is not a dynamic playmaker like Gonzalez or some others in the league.
I honestly was really hoping we could have snagged Jimmy Graham last year, but he ended up with the Aints.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:32 am
Love Mark Richt-Hate Coach Richt — “I think Green is the most talented Dawg since Herschel” …. You might be right about that.
jarvis
January 7th, 2011
10:32 am
Somebody will take a shot on Nesbitt (prolly as a free agent).
Wasn’t he a good DB in high school?
He has good Safety size, and he’s not lacking in speed. I’d be happy with the Falcons bringing him in…albeit not with a draft pick.
D A Double U G
January 7th, 2011
10:34 am
Gene Chizik looks like Shrek
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:34 am
Schultzie,
Luck may not NEED the money, but why give it up?
Likewise I don’t NEED the entire USC Song Girl squad to give me a massage, but I sure wouldn’t turn it down.
D A Double U G
January 7th, 2011
10:35 am
Nesbitt will be a World renowned Engineer, like EVERY football player that has ever gone through the system at Georgia Tech.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:35 am
D A Double U G — If I know nothing, I have an agenda, I’m just out to get Georgia, I’m a hack, my feet smell and everything else, why do you keep coming back to comment? Go away. I’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. Or do you really secretly look up to me? That’s my theory.
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:36 am
jarvis,
Nesbitt will definitely get a shot in the league. He is a good athlete and an excellent competitor. I’m thinking saftey, receiver, or possibly running back.
A guy like Bill Belichick would find a spot for him on the field and probably make a very good player out of him.
I think he will be drafted, but probably around the 6th-7th round.
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
10:36 am
@AlabamaKnowItAll
If AJ is comparable to Randy Moss (at least when Moss came out) he is definitely the best receiver in the draft.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:37 am
RambleOn84 — I never said I agreed or disagreed with Luck’s decision. He has his own desires, priorities. But you have to admire a kid who’s willing to say no. Plus, there’s worst things in the world than being a starting quarterback at Stanford.
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
10:38 am
Wow Jeff – You seem to have your own cyber stalker
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:39 am
Schultzie,
The loser calling himself “D A Double whatever” makes these types of complaints on every single page of the sports section.
My guess is he is one of the finer specimens of this youngest generation who thinks that being bored with life and only taking shots at people more accomplished than himself is somehow admirable.
A very sad person.
tell me again
January 7th, 2011
10:39 am
AJ is a good talent but he is too prone to injuries at this stage to last long in the NFL – if he stayed another year and bulked up he would be better off – the money would still be there and his chances of surviving for more than a year before he got torn in half by a 230 pound NFL LB would be better. But we all know money trumps just about everything in our society – he’s gone unless he’s made of more character than he has shone so far. The bottom line is – he was not a real game breaker for us / Tebow was a game breaker – compared to him AJ is small fry. – AJ was a weapon, that like so many others, never fully blossemed at UGA. Good luck to him either way – I think he’s a good kid.
jarvis
January 7th, 2011
10:40 am
Shultzie, your buddy Mike Bell nailed it with Luck. He sounds like Buffalo Bob from Silence of the Lambs.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:40 am
Paul in RDU — It must be the way I dress. You know — I’m asking for it.
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
10:40 am
True, Schultzie…everyone here would probably trade spots with him in a second.
But financially, you have to admit it is a horrible move.
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2011
10:41 am
RambleOn84 — I just hope he doesn’t spit on my cheeseburger the next time I drive thru at Wendys.