Separation Skills: Quick feet and active hands when faced with man coverage. Savvy route runner who is light on his feet. Can gear down and stop on a dime when executing comebacks and curls. Takes only the necessary steps needed when coming out of his breaks. Can run every route in the route tree, and do so effortlessly. Some of the best separation skills in the nation in regards to vertical routes. Long stride allows him to eat up chunks of yardage and take the lid off the defense. Displays good acceleration after the catch. Has enough burst and short-area quickness to take a drag or bubble screen to daylight.
Ball Skills: Ball skills so crazy that he makes it look easy. Catches the football with ease. Nearly un-guardable in jump ball situations. Elevates and catches the ball at it’s apex. Elite hands. Excels at tracking the ball and making over the shoulder catches. Can twist and adjust his body to under/over throws. Has a keen sense for knowing when a jump is needed and not needed. Even with his thin frame, secures the ball well. Loose hips allow him to change directions effortlessly, and get to balls that normal receiver can’t get to.
Competitiveness/Toughness: His slight frame does not stop him from going over the middle to catch balls. Can take a hit and keep going. Has a nice stiff arm. Fights for everything thrown his way. Does an excellent job on crash down blocks, but needs to learn how to sustain blocks, especially in open field.
Big play ability: Sneaky elusive. Can take a check down or slant the distance. Uses a nice stiff arm to gain extra yardage. Dispite an average forty, game speed is elite. Can get down the field in a hurry. The combination of his speed and ball skills makes him nearly un-coverable in the red zone. A double team is required or else Green will make you pay with putting seven up on the board.
Intangibles: Good student. Was suspended for four games in 2010 for selling a game worn jersey to an agent.
Overall Stock: Stock can’t get any higher because A.J. Green is considered one of the three best players in the draft. Teams have not been this excited about a receiver since Calvin Johnson. Many analyst are calling Green the best receiver to come out since Randy Moss. That remains to be seen, but Green surely is impressive. There aren’t any receivers in this class that have the fleetness and size that Green does. His most impressive trait is the ability to get deep. The NFL has transitioned into a passing league, so that boosts Green’s stock even more. Everyone wants that down field threat, so expect Green to come off the board within the top 10 picks.
NFL Comparison: Randy Moss