Cincinnati Bengals: Laquon Treadwell makes perfect sense

A popular option for the Cincinnati Bengals in many 2016 NFL Mock Drafts is a wide receiver, and the fit makes plenty of sense. As we saw last season, Andy Dalton can perform at an MVP level with an array of talented weapons, and he stands to lose two of them this offseason to unrestricted free agency in Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, both of whom are viewed by observers as among the most underrated receivers in the NFL.

On the subject of underrated receivers, Laquon Treadwell has seen his stock fall a bit after he elected not to run the 40 yard dash at this year’s Combine. Many are worried that Treadwell won’t have the long speed to win vertically in the NFL, and his decision to save his 40 yard time for the Ole Miss pro day called doubters to climb up higher on their mountains to denounce Treadwell’s standing as a potential top-ten pick.

While I am still as high on Treadwell as I was before, believing in him as a top-2o prospect and one of the three best receivers in the class, he is starting slip in some mocks. As a matter of fact, Charles Davis had the Cincinnati Bengals snagging Treadwell with the 24th overall pick in his latest mock draft on NFL.com.

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Josh Doctson is currently my No. 1 receiver prospect after he showed off elite quickness at the Combine, confirming that his lack of stellar tape in the shorter ranges was due to TCU’s offense. Doctson is an advanced route runner who dominates at the catch point and can win vertically, but, well, Treadwell can also do all of those things.

In fact, I see Treadwell as a close challenger to Doctson for the top spot among the receivers in this year’s class, and he is absolutely brilliant at winning in the intermediate regions of the field. Despite being 6’2″ with imposing strength at the catch point, Treadwell is as fluid as any receiver in this class, and his ability to win on comeback and slant routes make him the best chain-moving receiver in this class.

Dalton’s margin for error when throwing it in A.J. Green‘s direction is already high enough, and he would have another safe pass-catcher on his side in Treadwell. While Treadwell doesn’t have Green’s unique athleticism or vertical speed, he should be just as good at securing passes, and his technique is impeccable both in the air and in the route. Treadwell uses his body expertly to shield defenders, maintaining good leverage in order to set up extra yards after the catch.

A willing blocker, Treadwell was simultaneously underutilized and misused (an extension of the first) at Ole Miss, but the Bengals would likely be able to take full advantage of his gifts. His lack of production can be attributed to situation, and I see Treadwell as a better pro than college player for this reason.

The Bengals probably won’t be able to retain either Jones or Sanu, which would leave them with a gaping hole at No. 2 receiver. They could afford to draft a defensive player at No. 24, and someone like Sheldon Rankins might be too good to pass up on.

However, you could say the same for Treadwell, who, again, deserves to be selected several picks ahead of No. 24 based on his game tape alone. Unfortunately, sometimes workout numbers have a way of crashing prospects, and Treadwell could tumble into consideration for Cincinnati if he puts up a poor 40 time. I am one of the few who doesn’t anticipate happening, but, either way, I see Treadwell’s 40 time as an irrelevant part of the evaluation. Winning downfield is not a huge part of his game, but he showed an ability to make plays deep when needed by setting up defenders with clean footwork and his own body.

Sep 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) makes a catch in the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

We’ve seen Treadwell compared to all types of receivers, as he’s been likened to everyone from Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Dez Bryant to 2015 first-round selection DeVante Parker (via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).

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I think Treadwell is different from all of those players, and I view him as a superior prospect to Parker. The current Miami Dolphins second-year receiver is actually stronger and better in the air, but Treadwell is better after the catch and considerably better at getting inside of corners or winning on shorter routes. He combines physical play with finesse perfectly, and that makes him a great fit for Cincinnati and a player capable of eventually leading a passing attack, though he wouldn’t be asked to do this with the Bengals.

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