Ranking the top 25 potential free agents for 2020
Dak Prescott, Jadeveon Clowney, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston highlight the list of impending NFL free agents for the upcoming offseason.
Tag: A.J. Green
First glance at the top 2020 free agents
Dak Prescott and Jadeveon Clowney highlight the list of potential free agents for 2020.
At the moment, the 2020 free-agent class looks stellar. It’s loaded with current, former and potential franchise quarterbacks and one big-time wide receiver
It also has some strong pass rushers. There are a few solid offensive linemen and a smattering of talented players at other positions. There could even be some big additions that could be added to the list if their current teams decide to let them go.
Hypothetically, this could rank as the best free-agent class ever. But let’s keep in mind that much can change between now and the official opening of free agency in March.
When it comes to the very top players on the list, their current teams are going to fight like heck to keep them with new contracts. That’s especially true with the quarterbacks.
Think about this for a second – who’s the last true franchise quarterback to switch teams in free agency? I say Drew Brees, who went from the Chargers to the Saints in 2006. Even then, the circumstances were unique. Brees had a severe shoulder injury and there was uncertainty if he would be able to play again. Plus the Chargers had Philip Rivers waiting in the wings. The Saints took a gamble on Brees and it paid off hugely.
But, again, that kind of thing is rare. The list of free agents will look much different in March than it does now.
Still, it’s fun to look at who is scheduled to be available in free agency. Here’s a list of the top 25 players, who, at the moment, are supposed to be available in March and it includes a couple of guys who are likely to be added to the list (Cam Newton, for example) who are likely to be released by their current teams and join the free-agent pool.
25. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Redskins
Interior linemen seldom get big money in free agency. But Scherff could be the exception. He’s a dominant run blocker and those are hard to come by.
Zac Taylor effectively rules out A.J. Green after another missed practice
The A.J. Green return wait continues.
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Barring a dramatic change, the Cincinnati Bengals won’t have star wideout A.J. Green on the field during Sunday’s Week 14 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Green didn’t have a jersey for Wednesday’s practice. Like last week, Green missed the first day of practice and ultimately didn’t come close to suiting up during his team’s win over the New York Jets.
Another missed practice means Green still hasn’t been full-go for a Wednesday. As Taylor has said in recent weeks, it might take more than two days of full-go practice before he puts Green out there — so Wednesday continues to be the day to watch.
Green is a few weeks removed from suffering a swelling setback in his ankle that caused and perhaps continues to cause discomfort when he plants and cuts. This all stems from an ankle injury suffered during the first day of training camp over the summer.
The Andy Dalton-led offense will get John Ross back this week against the Browns. But the bigger storyline once again centers on Green, who is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason.
Zac on A.J. Green: Don’t think he’ll play
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) December 4, 2019
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A.J. Green speaks on injury after Bengals pick up first win of season
The Bengals wideout spoke about his injury after his team’s win.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green saw his team win for the first time in almost a year Sunday.
After the victory over the New York Jets, Green predictably had to field questions about his health.
Other than telling the media “I don’t know” when asked about a timetable, the transcript offered the following:
Does the win make the ankle feel better?
“The ankle is the same, win or lose.”
How is the swelling?
“Everything is trending up. I have to be effective to be out there, and right now I’m not.”
Interestingly, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com noted Green’s response to asking if he’d play this year at all: “I don’t know, it depends on the ankle.”
It’s all about as vague as expected, though speculation is bound to continue to run rampant considering the status of Green’s team and the fact he’s scheduled to be a free agent this offseason — never mind the fact this is an injury initially suffered on the first day of training camp.
Green still hasn’t practiced full-go on a Wednesday this season and had a swelling setback a few weeks ago. Four games stand between now and free agency in the offseason.
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Should the Bengals shut down A.J. Green?
Should the Bengals end this weekly saga?
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Is it time for A.J. Green to go on the shelf?
This isn’t what anyone really wants, obviously. Green wants to play for a multitude of reasons. His teammates want him to play. The coaching staff off to the worst start in franchise history wants him on the field.
And yet, Green still hasn’t participated in a Wednesday practice all season. Speaking to the media this week, Zac Taylor noted Green might need a full week of full-go practices — and then some — before getting back on the field:
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Whether the Bengals win a game in the next week or two might decide if Green ever gets on the field. If they eliminate the chance of 0-16, everyone might feel better about officially shutting him down.
On a personal level, Green probably wants to show NFL teams he can still go before he heads to free agency this offseason. He’s said his next contract isn’t about the money but he’s also human — each game he misses potentially shaves millions from a new deal in what could be his last NFL contract.
The other side to that is sheer risk of getting on the field at all. We’re talking about Green still working his way back from an injury he suffered on the first day of training camp.
No easy answer exists so we’ll throw it to the fans — should the Bengals shut Green down?
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New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals odds, picks and best bets
Previewing Sunday’s New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals sports betting odds and lines, with Week 13 NFL betting picks, tips and best bets.
The New York Jets (4-7) and Cincinnati Bengals (0-11) meet at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. We analyze the Jets-Bengals sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 13 matchup.
Jets at Bengals: Week 13 preview, betting trends and notes
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- The Bengals turned back to QB Andy Dalton under center after ‘evaluating’ QB Ryan Finley over the past three games. The offense averaged 11.0points per game under Finley, while posting 18.0 PPG with Dalton under center.
- Cincinnati has hit the Under in five of the past six games, and seven of the past nine.
- The Bengals are a dismal 2-5 against the spread in the past seven games against losing teams and 1-7 ATS in the past eight at home vs. teams with a losing road mark.
- The Over cashed in four of the past five for the Jets while going 4-1 in the past five overall and 4-0 in their past four against losing teams.
- The Under is 5-1 in Cincinnati’s past six overall and 33-16-2 its past 51 vs. AFC teams.
- The Jets rank 31st in the NFL in total yards per game (262.1), passing yards per game (188.5) and rushing yards per game (73.5), but they have scored exactly 34 points in each of the past three outings.
Jets at Bengals: Key injuries
Jets: WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) is questionable.
Bengals: WR A.J. Green (ankle) remains out.
Jets at Bengals: Odds, betting lines and prediction
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 3:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Jets 23, Bengals 17
Moneyline (?)
The JETS (-167) are expected to add to the misery of the Bengals (+135) and keep them with a goose egg in the win column. The way QB Sam Darnold and the offense have been operating lately, there’s no reason to believe they can’t top these winless Bengals.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the moneyline returns a $6.00 profit with an N.Y. Jets victory.
Against the Spread (?)
The JETS (-3.5, +105) opened a little higher, but the public has been all over the Bengals (+3.5, -125). Perhaps they like the fact Dalton is back, perhaps they’re just going on percentages that the Bengals have to win sooner or later. Either way, take the Jets. It’s always pleasing to go against the public.
Over/Under (?)
Pass. The projected total of 41.5 (-115) is perfect for this game. If Darnold and the offense do what they have the past few weeks, this is an easy Over play. But when do the Jets ever do what they’re supposed to do and live up to their potential?
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Everything Zac Taylor said about A.J. Green after WR missed Wednesday’s practice
Zac Taylor talked about A.J. Green’s latest missed practice and the future.
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Wednesday, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green missed another practice, which seems to make it highly unlikely he’ll be able to play this weekend against the New York Jets.
Head coach Zac Taylor addressed the media the same day, with Green serving as one of the biggest talking points.
“I think he wants to play. I don’t think. I know he wants to play,” Taylor said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Right now we continue to carry him (on the roster) and just hopeful each and every week that it will be different and we’ll take it from there.”
Green continues to work on the rehab portion of his comeback after a swelling setback a few weeks ago. Taylor said there are simply things Green is uncomfortable with when it comes to running and cutting.
With Wednesday a no-go, Green seems likely out against the Jets because Taylor wants him to have a solid stretch of live practice:
“At least a week. It depends how long the injury has been, what is the position is. Certainly you want more days of practice. It’s going on a couple of months now. You’d like to get him a couple of practices under his belt.”
Considering Green has yet to partake in a Wednesday practice at all this season, even a Thursday and Friday participation mark might leave Taylor and Green wanting to wait another week.
Given Green’s focus on the long term as he gets ready for free agency this offseason, all signs point to his missing at least another week.
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Zac Taylor isn’t ready to rule A.J. Green out for the season
Zac Taylor isn’t ready to hint whether A.J. Green could miss the rest of the season.
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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor knew the questions were coming.
Friday, once the team made it clear A.J. Green would miss yet another game, Taylor had to spar with the media and massage the concerns of curious fans.
According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Taylor wasn’t ready to rule Green out for the rest of the season.
“Because if it’s Monday, he might feel like he’s ready to start practicing again. So I don’t want to make any predictions for the rest of the year,” Taylor said. “Just planting off of it right now, I think is a little uncomfortable for him. We’ll get to that point where he feels comfortable and he’ll be ready to go.”
For now, the fact Green is having problems planting and cutting sounds like a big issue. This after a few weeks ago experiencing a setback with swelling after trying to get ready for a full-go. He has yet to even be a full participant in practice.
With the Bengals still winless it would make sense if both parties are being overly cautious. The team presumably wants him back and Green has to think about his long-term future over the next five years.
But with planting and cutting presenting an issue and keeping Green working on rehab, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Taylor and the team change its tune sooner rather than later and ending the star wideout’s season.
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A.J. Green will officially miss another week with key offseason looming
A.J. Green won’t play against the Steelers.
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The Cincinnati Bengals again won’t have star wideout A.J. Green on the field in Week 12 when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town.
After a swelling setback a few weeks ago, Green hasn’t done much besides rehab. He didn’t put in notable practice this week before skipping Friday, per The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Tyler Dragon.
Green — who has made it clear he doesn’t care about your fantasy football teams — still hasn’t played since suffering an injury on the first day of training camp. Each time it seems he’s almost ready the needle doesn’t move and it makes the decision not to place him on injured reserve seem stranger.
With each inactive day, one needle that does move is the idea Green and the Bengals could be heading for a split. He’s still without a contract and if he doesn’t suit up at all this season it might not bode well for the two sides coming to an agreement on an extension.
In the short term, the underdog Bengals won’t have their best offensive player on the field when Ryan Finley looks to upset the Steelers and avoid the worst start in team history.
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Zac Taylor provides surprising update on Cordy Glenn, A.J. Green
The Bengals coach offered injury updates on Cordy Glenn, A.J. Green.
After all of the drama, it sure sounds like the Cincinnati Bengals could have left tackle Cordy Glenn back on the field.
Glenn, suspended and reportedly fined this year for an argument with the coaching staff, worked with the first team Wednesday as the Bengals prepped for their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Zac Taylor spoke on the topic, as summed up by Marisa Contipelli of the team’s official site: “Zac Taylor update on Cordy Glenn – said he will start getting work at left tackle today at practice. There’s a chance he could go this weekend.”
That’s a stunner considering it felt like Glenn wasn’t long for the roster at all after the spat about his concussion suffered during the preseason. His sticking on the roster felt like a potential way to avoid a grievance, but it didn’t seem like he’d get back on the field at all. But if things are patched over, this is presumably right around the time he’d be back in football shape after months away.
Taylor also noted the following about A.J. Green:
Zac says it will be tough for Green to play Sunday since he’s not practicing Wednesday
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) November 20, 2019
This one is also interesting. It sounded like Green had fewer problems with swelling last week and he got some work in before the loss to Oakland. Hinting at already ruling him out this early in the week probably isn’t a good sign, though.
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