Bengals roster breakdown, 90-in-90: A.J. Green only getting better

A.J. Green's greatness largely goes unnoticed by those outside of Cincinnati. But that's by design. His performance on the field is far louder than his humble personality off it. It is for that reason, as Cincy Jungle readers know, that he isn't mentioned among the top receivers as much as he should be. But, if last year is any indication, NFL fans will soon have to give him his props, as he only seems to be getting better. And that's a big deal considering he's made the Pro Bowl every year of his career.

In 2016, Green averaged 96.4 receiving yards per game, the first time he's topped 90 yards per game. And if you take away his 10th and final game of the season (in which he was injured on the opening drive), that's more than 107 yards per game. Green also caught 66 percent of his targets and averaged 6.6 receptions per game (both career highs). And he had three games with 160 or more receiving yards in 2016. In his previous five seasons combined he only had four such games. Green was, in a word, unstoppable.

Player Info

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 210 pounds

Age: 28 (turns 29 on July 31)

College: Georgia

Hometown: Summerville, SC

Position: Wide receiver

Experience: Seventh year in 2017

Draft status: First round pick (4th overall) in 2011

Contract

Green is in the third year of a four year, $60 million extension he signed in 2015. His cap hit this year will be $13,500,000 ($10,300,000 base salary, $3,000,000 signing bonus, $200,000 workout bonus), according to Spotrac. As things stand, he can become an unrestricted free agent following the 2019 season, but it is unlikely the Bengals will let him hit the open market.

Roster Chances

Green is, quite simply, the Bengals' best player right now, and on his way to being the greatest Bengals receiver ever, and maybe even the best player in franchise history. He without a doubt will last in Cincinnati for a long time.

Roster odds: 100 percent.