The Cincinnati Bengals have a top-heavy class headed to 2020 NFL free agency.
A.J. Green stands at the very top of what is otherwise a ho-hum class of free agents. A top-20 wideout when healthy, Green missed all of last season, hence the standoff of sorts between him and his reps against the front office as he gets ready to hit the open market.
Green landed as the 11th-best free agent in the NFL NFL.com’s list of the top 25 free agents:
“One of the toughest players to price after he missed all of last season to injury, Green is a borderline Hall of Famer who should still have some high-level years left.”
Green landed even higher up at No. 6 on Pro Football Focus’ top 50 free agents:
“While he’ll be 32 years old on opening day of the 2020 season, Green’s consistent track record of production makes him an intriguing offseason possibility for many passing attacks. Green missed all of 2019 after playing only 458 snaps in 2018, so injuries and age are certainly a risky proposition. But when healthy, Green wins at all levels of the field. He finished the decade with the sixth-highest grade among all receivers and 3,273 yards on deep passes, which ranked third. Green is worth a look for teams in need of a downfield threat on the outside.”
Andrew Billings (73) and Darqueze Dennard (77) also made the list at PFF.
When it comes to free agency, this offseason has always been about Green. He wants to stay and the team wants him to stay, though bridging the gap between the wants of the two parties seems to be the biggest hurdle, one complicated by age and injury history.
It should go without saying, but the franchise tag is very much on the table because the Bengals don’t want to compete in a massive bidding war if Green slips to the open market.
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