Top 15 draft picks in Cincinnati Bengals history

12. A.J. Green

Drafted 4th overall in 2011

The Bengals have had a ton of success finding wide receivers in the draft, which is evidenced by A.J. Green now being the third receiver to appear on this list. Green went fourth overall in the 2011 draft and made a huge impact from Day 1.

As a rookie, Green hauled in 65 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns, garnering a Pro Bowl nod in his first-ever NFL season. He followed that season with another prolific performance, totaling 97 receptions for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns, and then had yet another impressive season in 2013 with 98 catches for 1,426 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Six of Green’s first seven NFL seasons resulted in him passing the 1,000-yard mark with the 2016 season being the only year he didn’t. Even then, he tallied 964 yards, so it wasn’t a slouch of a season by any means.

Green spent 10 years in Cincinnati and played in nine total (he missed all of 2019 due to injury). During that time, his lowest yardage total was 523 yards and he had just three years where he didn’t pass 1,000 yards.

The two sides moved on after the 2020 season and Green signed with the Cardinals. He finished his Cincinnati career with 9,430 yards and 65 touchdowns and is second all-time in receiving yards. It was tough seeing him play elsewhere but he’s an easy candidate to list as one of the best Bengals’ draft picks ever.