Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell will take NFL by storm
The Minnesota Vikings made a bold move in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft when they selected wide receiver Laquon Treadwell who will undoubtedly take the NFL by storm.
It’s interesting to say the least when a team drafts a wide receiver who is 6’2, 221 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds. Sure, it might be a bit slower compared to others but Treadwell makes up for it with an amazing skill-set of great hands, an ability to make plays after the catch and a knack for scoring plenty of touchdowns. He’ll be part of an offense already loaded with talent led by a young quarterback and veteran running back that needed a third partner in crime to exceed expectations this upcoming season.
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Considered the top wide receiver in this year’s draft, Treadwell brings game speed, excellent route-running and a work ethic that will immediately put him in the upper category of the best at his position in 2016. He has the skill-set to even rival the rookie season of Odell Beckham Jr. since he can be flat out dangerous on this Vikings’ offense and has a quarterback that can make any throw needed to succeed.
Despite a leg/ankle injury in 2014, Treadwell didn’t miss a beat last season at Ole Miss. In his junior year, Treadwell totaled his best season of his collegiate career with 1,153 receiving yards, 202 receptions, averaged 14.1 yards per catch and 11 touchdowns.
Needless to say, he’ll be a classic overachiever for the Vikings who now have a legitimate No. 1 receiving option on their depth chart. Not only will he be a deep threat for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Treadwell also excels in run blocking which will be great to set things up nicely for running back Adrian Peterson.
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The Vikings will more than likely use Treadwell’s natural instincts in the red zone to light up the scoreboard when it matters most during the regular season.
He’s known to make extremely difficult catches look easy as he keeps those chains moving.
Similar to other teams across the NFL, the league has turned into a passing one with the best of the best always able to have a dynamic tandem between quarterback and wide receiver.
Majority of the time, teams are using playbooks that rely heavily on the passing game. It’s mainly due to how potent an aerial attack is thanks to a great quarterback and reliable top wide receiver. The Oakland Raiders have Derek Carr with Amari Cooper, the New England Patriots have Tom Brady with Julian Edelman and now the next big duo will easily be Bridgewater with Treadwell.
Last season with the Vikings, Bridgewater did well but didn’t have the right supporting cast around him to continue his progression in the NFL. Considering he did get better in 2015 compared to his rookie season of 2014, Treadwell is the perfect compliment for the kind of hybrid quarterback Bridgewater is. It will only make him better as he has the potential to be a breakout quarterback thanks to everything Treadwell brings to the table.
Bridgewater only threw for 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions without any real premier wide receivers to make an impact early and often during the regular season. With a future superstar like Treadwell ready to let that natural competitiveness come out, the Vikings’ offense will be very fun to watch. The possibilities to keep defenders guessing as to what’s coming next with Bridewater, Peterson and now Treadwell on offense are endless.
Expect to see a breakout year for Bridgewater in his third season in the NFL as Treadwell will undoubtedly put him to work. He’s the kind of wide receiver that will have a major impact late in close games but also set the tone nicely. In the very competitive NFC North, the Vikings could make some serious noise if they can be a more efficient offensive powerhouse.
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While Treadwell isn’t perfect, he will be a difference-maker for the Vikings not just in 2016 but for years to come. Once he gets all the coaching and training he’ll need preparing for the regular season, the Vikings have a serious play-maker that will prove to his critics why he should have been drafted much earlier in this year’s draft. Get ready everyone, Bridgewater to Treadwell will be a common theme you’ll be hearing often in 2016.