SB Nation Mock Draft: Bengals Select WR A.J. Green

You may debate as to which player the Cincinnati Bengals should select in the 2011 NFL Draft. And yes, CBA issues be damned, the NFL is at least having the NFL Draft. Which is sort of a heartbreak on its own. After the Super Bowl, all we could have for a long time is the NFL Draft. Now I'm getting sentimental and I told Bubba I wouldn't cry.

There are several points of view amongst Bengals fans on who the team should draft this year. One one hand, the Bengals could use another pass rusher opposite of Carlos Dunlap. They could also use an outside linebacker if the plan is to move Rey Maualuga inside; especially with Brandon Johnson entering free agency. They could use a cornerback if there's no reasonable expectation the team could retain Johnathan Joseph (did I hear Franchise Tag?). And that doesn't include the need to pick up a few safeties, perhaps replace Tank Johnson at defensive tackle, maybe a few offensive linemen to replace the undrafted free agents that will be, well, free agents.

There really is a lot of work ahead with this team.

One player that many Bengals fans would like to see in stripes in 2011 is Georgia's A.J. Green. SB Nation revised their latest Mock Draft to reflect changes after the 2011 Senior Bowl last weekend and, with the fourth pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, SB Nation selects A.J. Green for the Cincinnati Bengals.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. Terrell Owens is on his way out of Cincy, and given that Chad Johnson Ochocinco Johnson is fed up with Marvin Lewis, it's safe to assume he's soon to follow T.O. Green is not only the best player available here, but fills a need - and could help keep the disgruntled Carson Palmer happy.

If the Bengals go that route, I won't complain. He's a good talent. But keeping Carson Palmer happy by choosing their draft picks based on the franchise quarterback's preference is like the total opposite of how a franchise should be run. Yet, it's the Cincinnati Bengals we're talking about here. Moving on.