Green was selected in the first round with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He became the highest drafted wide receiver in Georgia school history, breaking the mark set by Lindsay Scott, who went 13th overall in 1984. On July 28, 2011, Green agreed to a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth $19.6 million. After signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, Green became a member of School of the Legends (SOTL) in 2011. Green was featured in the 2011 NFLPA Rookie Debut "One Team" Celebration which streamed live on YouTube from New York City's Cipriani Wall Street. The event was produced by SOTL, a licensed partner of the NFLPA, and employed YouTube's live streaming platform.