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2011 Stats: 65 Catches, 1,057 Yards, 7 TDs, 115 Targets



I have three viable reasons for attaching a modest preseason ranking to A.J. Green, one obvious and two that may become abundantly clear to fantasy gurus by October.



For starters, the overall depth at receiver has blossomed to previously unforeseen levels. There isn't a fantasy dog on this list.



In previous seasons, a stud athlete coming off a rookie campaign of four 100-yard games and seven touchdowns would be a top-10 consideration, but in Green's case, it's merely the foundation that guarantees him a spot in the top 16.



Now for the second part: With Jerome Simpson running routes for the Vikings, the Bengals are in dire need of a consistently productive No. 2 receiver, a vacancy that Brandon Tate, Jordan Shipley, Armon Binns and rookie Mohamed Sanu will attempt to fill. In the meantime, Green is bound to see plenty of double teams.



One more thing: The Bengals' 2012 schedule, from the perspective of opposing pass defenses, might be the toughest in the entire NFL. Two dates with the Steelers, Ravens and Browns, followed by clashes with the Redskins, Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Broncos, Dolphins and Chiefs.



Bottom line: For 2013 and beyond, I love Green's prospects for becoming a top-10 fantasy receiver. But for the upcoming season, I simply prefer 15 other wideouts ahead of him.



Draft target: Late in Round 3