A.J.

Green

Before opting to spend his final two seasons in the Arizona desert, Green was a perennial Pro Bowl talent. The former Georgia Bulldog was selected by the Bengals with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft and kicked off his career with five-straight 1,000+ yard seasons and seven-straight Pro Bowls. He saw a toe injury end his 2018 season early, and missed all of 2019 with an ankle injury before returning in 2020 to go for 47-503-2 in 16 games. Green never quite returned to his old form, as age and injuries caught up to the veteran receiver. It’s safe to say he went out on somewhat of a high note, going for 91 yards and a touchdown in his final game, with his score coming on an impressive 77-yard play in which he beat multiple defenders to the ball and the end zone.

Green played a rotational role for the Cardinals for most of the 2022 season. He made next to no impact for the offense, topping 20 yards in a game once before Week 18. In Arizona’s finale, Green made a deep, contested catch on a flea-flicker before shaking multiple defenders en route to a 77-yard score. Having shown none of that play-making ability when the Cardinals were a competitive team, he isn’t likely to be re-signed by Arizona in the offseason. Green could search for a one-year deal as a veteran presence for a contending team, though he may decide to hang up the cleats after 12 years as a pro.

It was a disappointing state Rondale Moore (groin) and Greg Dortch sidelined, to put it mildly. That’s doubly true since Green caught 5-of-9 targets for 50 yards in Week 11. There is simply no “there” there, especially with the Cardinals now headed on bye and Moore and Dortch likely to return in Week 14 vs. the Patriots. Green will be miles from relevance for that tough matchup.

Green had amassed just 66 total receiving yards through the first 10 weeks of the season before putting up 50 in the blowout loss to the 49ers. His snap rate saw a stark increase after Rondale Moore left the game after just one offensive snap, but he still was vastly overshadowed by both DeAndre Hopkins and Greg Dortch, who combined to see 22 targets and post 194 yards. Fantasy managers can safely fend off the temptation and leave Green on waiver wires in all formats.

At this point in his career, Green is nothing more than a big-bodied receiver that can take advantage of opposing cornerbacks in the end zone. That’s exactly what he did on Sunday, as the veteran receiver high-pointed a Colt McCoy in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to give McCoy his only passing touchdown of the afternoon. Having seen three targets in his last three games, Green is well off the fantasy radar.

Green didn’t play a snap in Week 7 against the Saints, but Kingsbury is suggesting that he’ll see more action this week. Green is far from a fantasy relevant with DeAndre Hopkins now back in the mix and Rondale Moore seeing an increased role. He can be left on the waiver wire this week.

Green wasn’t targeted. Kingsbury said that the Cardinals wanted to get Rondale Moore involved and give Robbie Anderson some snaps. It sounds like what remained of Green’s fantasy value may be disappearing with the return of DeAndre Hopkins and the acquisition of Anderson. He’s a drop candidate even in larger leagues.

With Green out last week, Greg Dortch stayed in the slot and Rondale Moore was kicked outside. Neither player eclipsed 11 receiving yards. It’s unclear how Kliff Kingsbury will deploy his receivers this week. Given Kingsbury’s suboptimal usage of his receivers so far, it’s safe to assume he will bungle the decision again this week. Everyone but Marquise Brown should be benched for fantasy purposes.

Green left Week 3 with a bone bruise in his knee and was forced to sit out against the Panthers. Green is not a fantasy factor even when healthy, but his return along with a healthy Rondale Moore will put a dent in Greg Dortch’s snap share.

Green was listed as doubtful before Friday, so this was always the expectation. Green has been a ghost on the field despite running 32 routes per week. His absence should ensure Rondale Moore returns to a sizable role based on the team’s desperation at receiver.