Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
In this week’s edition of the NFL Network’s ‘Top 100 Players of 2015,’ the Cincinnati Bengals finally landed a player in the rankings with A.J. Green at No. 37. A year ago, the Bengals were represented by three players: Green (9), Geno Atkins (48) and Vontaze Burfict (52).
Green missed three games a year ago due to a toe injury that proved to be problematic for the receiver throughout a majority of the season. Also, due to inconsistencies at the quarterback position, Green saw his numbers drop. The Bengals’ eighth all-time leading receiver posted career-lows in receiving yards (1,041) and touchdowns (six) during the 2014 season.
Green has ranked in the Top 100 Players series in each of the four years he has been in the league. Prior to his No. 37 ranking, Green appeared among the league’s best in 2014 at No. 9, in 2013 at No. 16, and he made his first appearance in 2012 at No. 77.
Personally, it is satisfying to see Green ranked in the top half of the league’s top 100 players. He has the potential to be ranked higher, but due to the Bengals’ offense struggling in 2014, his No. 37 rank is accurate. It is unfortunate that Green is the only Bengals player to appear so far in this year’s installment. I would have ranked running back Jeremy Hill in the top 100 after running for 1,124 yards, and defensive end Carlos Dunlap after recording eight sacks a year ago.
With three weeks left, there are still opportunities left for other Bengals to join Green.
This season, Green will be entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Bengals receiver finds himself in the same situation as Denver Broncos’ Demaryius Thomas and Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant were in 2014. Both receivers were in the final year of their contract a year ago and have been named as their teams’ franchise free agents.
Both receivers have also sat out this spring in order to negotiate long-term contracts. Scheduled to make $10.4 million in 2015, Green isn’t about to hold out now, but he will be a candidate for the Bengals’ franchise tag next offseason.
Dan Miller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google
