The Atlanta Falcons will be taking on the Cincinnati Bengals tonight in a matchup of two teams with lofty expectations heading into the season. As is the case with most around the league, these teams will see their starters in for more of the game than their initial preseason outing.
This is where the Julio Jones and A.J. Green comparisons start. Both were top 10 picks in the 2011 NFL draft and both had breakout rookie campaigns. Now it is time to take a look at which young receiver is going to be you're best fantasy bet heading into the 2012 season.
Green recorded 1,057 yards on 65 receptions as a rookie for the up-and-coming Bengals last season. What made his performance so amazing is that Andy Dalton, a fellow 2011 draft pick, was throwing him the ball. In short, it was one of the best rookie connections in the modern history of the league.
Consistency wasn't an issue for the former Georgia star either. He recorded at least four receptions or 50 yards in 10 different games last season. In addition, Green scored touchdowns in seven different games.
He is only going to get better with another season under his belt. Magnified in terms of fantasy performance is the fact that Green is Dalton's primary receiving target on the outside. The same cannot be said for Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons.
Matt Ryan is going to have ample receiving targets heading into the 2012 season. Roddy White has recorded five consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and has put up at least six scores in each campaign. Some thought his numbers would take a hit due to the Falcons' selection of Jones last April, but that did not happen. White still recorded 100 receptions for nearly 1,300 yards.
Atlanta also has future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez returning for what promises to be his final NFL season. Needless to say, they're stacked at the skill positions.
Jones recorded nearly 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie while averaging whopping 17.8 yards per catch. He is going to provide you with a better deep threat on the outside, as evidenced by this average. Jones also put up double-digit touchdowns three different times during the 2011 season. As fantasy owners, you know full well how that type of production helps you're team.
Despite the fact that Atlanta has more receiving options, I would have to conclude it is a draw at this point. Both receivers will be of the WR1 variety soon enough, I am just not too sure that they're at this point right now.
That being said, both should put up at least 70 receptions for over 1,200 yards and eight to nine scores in 2012. Pretty damn good WR2 numbers if you ask me. If you are looking for a better bet to break into the WR1 category this season I would have to go with Green simply because he promises to see more targets in the Bengals offense than Jones is going to see in Atlanta.