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
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
12:54 pm
VT is 1-3 in BCS bowl games with a victory over the mighty Cincinnati Bearcats.
On a related note – I don’t understand all of the ACC is underrated talk. The ACC sucks in FB at the moment. Here in the heart of ACC country, even the columnists in the Raleigh N&O slam them.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
12:54 pm
“Two ACC teams beat evenly matched SEC teams in the bowl games, but yeah the ACC is so crappy.”
When’s the last time the ACC won the national title?
“It is a myth that every game in the SEC is brutal.”
When’s the last time the ACC won the national title?
Dawg H8R
January 7th, 2011
12:55 pm
AJ Green #1? Seriously?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
12:55 pm
“Why would I expect anything else but an excuse?”
Ask VT and GT. They both choke in BCS games.
McDawg
January 7th, 2011
12:55 pm
Carolina needs an Offensive Line-would never waste the 1st pick for any skilled position
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
12:56 pm
“I don’t understand all of the ACC is underrated talk.”
Yep, because I can’t even remember the last time the ACC had a winning record in a bowl season as a whole.
RambleOn84
January 7th, 2011
12:57 pm
Ah, deflection…the other tried-and-true go-to for SEC dunderheads.
Like I said, the top teams in the SEC are great; head-and-shoulders better than their counterparts in the ACC.
But the rest of the conferences are strikingly similar.
ACC is still 2-0 against SEC with evenly matched teams.
atlvol55
January 7th, 2011
12:58 pm
Any team who takes a WR a #1 is crazy….If you are bad enough to have the #1, you have far more pressing needs than wide receivers….
Just look at the top receivers in the game; Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Andre JOhnson, all on crappy teams. QB and Defensive Linemen win NFL games; not WR’s….Brady and Manning manage just fine with average WR’s.
Dawg H8R
January 7th, 2011
12:58 pm
Seriously? Ay Jay Green #1?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
12:58 pm
THE CATHOLIC HAMMER
Where’d you go? I’m looking forward to your explanation as to how Oregon is better than Auburn when Oregon played more losing teams than they did with winning teams. LOL
GTBob
January 7th, 2011
12:58 pm
When’s the last time the ACC won the national title?
I didn’t realize that the whole conference was allowed to play for the title. I thought it was just the two best teams in the country. Congrats to Vandy on their 4 straight MNCs!
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
12:59 pm
“ACC is still 2-0 against SEC with evenly matched teams.”
I’ll give you USC. FSU beat them but so what? Auburn DESTROYED USC.
Dawg H8R
January 7th, 2011
1:00 pm
If this sellout to the Palmetto state goes #1,this would classify as the weakest draft in history!
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:00 pm
“I didn’t realize that the whole conference was allowed to play for the title.”
Do understand the English language, GTBoob?
JSS
January 7th, 2011
1:00 pm
Bust QB’s
January 7th, 2011
12:41 pm
“Agree JSS, George had a decent NFL career not really a bust, but he was crazy as hell. His personality certainly held him back, would have been real interesting to see what he could have done with a sane person’s brain. Wasn’t he attempting a comeback here recently, like in the last two or three years? How did that turn out?”
As long as Zygi Wilf, Dan Snyder, and Al Davis are alive, Jeff George will be trying to get back in the League… He is just that deluded!
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:01 pm
GTBob
You were arguing that the ACC is just as good as the SEC. AKA: You lumped everyone together.
Contradict much?
UGA owns you tasty bees..
January 7th, 2011
1:01 pm
Crumpy’s dogs would make good roadkill
January 7th, 2011
11:31 am
Athens is the armpit of Georgia.
IF that’s the case, then we ALL KNOW tech is the @$$hole.
Shut up techies, and take the once a decade gift UGA gives you.
Alabama Jack
January 7th, 2011
1:02 pm
i thought A J Green went pro before this season started.
joe
January 7th, 2011
1:02 pm
Wrong – WR NFL success is the hardest to predict. AJ won’t go #1.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:03 pm
UGA owns you tasty bees..
Tech fans are angry because they graduate more Iranian terrorists than they do football players.
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
1:05 pm
ACC teams vs AQ teams in 2010
9-15, with 6 of the wins over teams from the Big East and 1 win (by WF) over Vandy
Dawg H8R
January 7th, 2011
1:06 pm
Good one Alabama Jack.I personally think he went pro when he chose his dream school over the Gamecocks.This guy grew up in SUMMERVILLE,SC,
but he always dreamed of jawja!!!!! This guy dreams of money obviously.
Dawg H8R
January 7th, 2011
1:08 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS
do you mean GT accepts more than rich legacy rednecks?
dawgfan
January 7th, 2011
1:08 pm
“The rest of the conferences are strikingly similar.”
Last year’s ACC Champion lost to a 6-5 SEC Team at home. This year’s ACC Champion lost to D-1aa James Madison at home. Name me ONE other conference that has such an embarassing track record Techie.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:09 pm
“do you mean GT accepts more than rich legacy rednecks?”
They’re reaching out to Iran to be more diverse. In return, their grads blow up our citizens.
Dawg H8R
January 7th, 2011
1:11 pm
In return,jawja “grads” become republicans,who keep people paranoid and racist.
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
1:12 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
12:31 pm
“That crappy ACC is 2-0 against the SEC in bowl games this year.”
Against teams that went 6-6 in the regular season. Try again.
_____________________________________________________
Looks like Mike Slive changed South Carolina’s regular season record to 9-3 to make sure that they could represent the East in the SEC CG
GTBob
January 7th, 2011
1:14 pm
I didn’t say that at all 2010 SEC Champs. The SEC is a fine conference. I just find it humorous that SEC fans have to ride the coattails of the teams at the top of the conference to make themselves feel better about their disappointing season. Do you think if Auburn wins that they will have SEC engraved on the trophy and will display it at the SEC headquarters?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:16 pm
Paul in RDU
I already commended FSU over their win over USC. See above.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:17 pm
“I just find it humorous that SEC fans have to ride the coattails of the teams”
I’m not riding anyone’s coattails, GTBoob.
“Do you think if Auburn wins that they will have SEC engraved on the trophy and will display it at the SEC headquarters?”
?
JSS
January 7th, 2011
1:18 pm
Only in Atlanta, what other place could a blog about the #1 NFL draft pick could turn into a “pissing contest” between three college football conferences…
So where exactly did Roddy White, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens, Chad Ocho-Loco, or Greg Jennings play their college ball? Seriously, get over your obsession with big programs!
And…
http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/ncf/news/story?id=5998053
That’s embarrassing!
just a fan
January 7th, 2011
1:19 pm
GtBob
You would rather see every other team in your conference lose than win is that what you are saying.
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
1:19 pm
2010 – You fingers get ahead of your brain at times.
Roger
January 7th, 2011
1:20 pm
And the answer to the question of “When has a wide receiver been drafted No. 1″, the answer in 1996 – Keyshawn Johnson by the Jets.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:21 pm
“You fingers get ahead of your brain at times”
Pot meet kettle, you.
just a fan
January 7th, 2011
1:22 pm
I support every SEC team except florduh in the regular season OCC and bowl games
Paul in RDU
January 7th, 2011
1:22 pm
JSS –
Don’t forget the greatest WR in NFL history was from Mississippi Valley State, and the greatest RB (in my opinion) was from Jackson State
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:23 pm
Paul in RDU
I thought Sterling Sharpe went to South Carolina?
David Granger
January 7th, 2011
1:25 pm
I’m not sure he’d be the first pick overall, but he would definitely be the first receiver chosen. Can’t blame a kid for going pro and making the kind of money that’s available. I wish him luck.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:25 pm
“and the greatest RB (in my opinion) was from Jackson State”
Gayle Sayers went to Kansas.
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January 7th, 2011
1:26 pm
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Ludvig Von Mises
January 7th, 2011
1:28 pm
Rising prices are a consequence of inflation, but not inflation itself. Inflation is defined as an increase in the supply of fiat currency, i.e. the Federal Reserves “quantitative easing” policies. AKA characterized as making further units of “money” out of nothing and thereby “inflating” the money supply.
With each monetary unit now holding less “value” than before, it takes more of these monetary units to buy a particular good – like an NFL QB. Of course other elements such as supply and demand factor into this too, as do artificially low interest rates resulting in excessive lending.
just a fan
January 7th, 2011
1:28 pm
Sweetness was good but not sure he was the greatest IMHO top 5 for sure
GTBob
January 7th, 2011
1:29 pm
just a fan, some teams in my conference I would like to see lose, some I would like to see win, some I don’t care if they win or lose.
bamaguy
January 7th, 2011
1:29 pm
Alabama Jack, AJ’s only mistake was not having his father sell that jersey for him then not tell him where the money came from. GIven the “you can’t get so much as a free tattoo” NCAA, who can blame any college player for going pro ASAP,
That said, I think he will go first or second with Luck out. I think he is better than Julio Jones and Jones has a tendency to be injured. But we will be seeing both of them “play on Sunday” as the expression goes.
Boca Baby
January 7th, 2011
1:30 pm
If the Carolina Panthers are smart they will select Ryan Mallet with the first pick. There is no doubt that he is the best prototypical pro QB in the draft. And I would have taken him over Luck. We cannot forget that Mallet did what he did in the SEC which is the closest thing to the NFL in college. Selecting A.J. Green would be a fashionable and glamorous pick but would only be putting a band-aid on something that needs radical surgery.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 7th, 2011
1:32 pm
bamaguy
You can get his jersey at Walmart for 28-27% off. I hear they’ll throw in a box of Tide for free to wash away all the misery and shame.
N.GA.DAWG
January 7th, 2011
1:32 pm
9:48 Tech Rules, what exactly does tech rule? I passed by some of the tech dorms going to a Falcons preseason game(v/s Pats)last September and the only thing I saw were a bunch of folks implanted from overseas. I am talking about a whole block. 1. Either tech segregates or 2. that’s what tech is(a foreign institute in Atlanta).
Buckeye
January 7th, 2011
1:33 pm
2010,
Agree with you on two earlier points.
Petrino is a scumbag. Always was, always will be. Nevermind the Ohio State game.
GO FALCONS! Glad we have home field.
Carlton
January 7th, 2011
1:33 pm
I love how everyone’s attacking SEC fans for having passion for their conference. Truth is, every fan and team in the SEC hates each other in the regular season-no doubt about that. In the bowl games though, we quietly pull for the teams that we hate during the regular season to prove that the team playing for the National Championship for the SEC (I can make an assumption at this point that at least one team in the NC will be an SEC team) truly did beat every team that they played during the regular season by comparing it to how said SEC teams fared during the bowl games playing teams from out of conference-establishing true dominance of the sport of college football on a national level.
I know that’s a wordy and semi-confusing explanation, but maybe if other conference’s grasped this concept of conference support for their other teams, they might could just be as dominate as the SEC in every facet of the game. I’m a UGA fan, and I hate Florida with a passion, UT and Alabama fans, and South Carolina for the mere fact that Steve Spurrier coaches them. I have little problem with Auburn because it’s always been a fairly clean rivalry..
Hence while I’ll be pulling for LSU tonight and AU on Monday. Go SEC