Minnesota Vikings: Replacing aging veterans through 2020 NFL Draft
By Luke Parrish
Laquon Treadwell
It’s safe to say the Laquon Treadwell experiment has not worked out for the Vikings. While I am a huge fan of Treadwell, it is time to move on. Treadwell has just 56 receptions in three seasons. 2018 was by far his best season despite having just 35 catches for 302 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota has a dominant duo in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs to keep defenses honest, but Treadwell hasn’t been able to capitalize. Insert Lynn Bowden Jr.
Replacement Option: Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky
Lynn Bowden Jr. may return to Kentucky after the upcoming season. 2019 will be just his second season with considerable playing time for the Wildcats. However, his impact on offense should get him draft buzz next spring. Bowden is electric with the ball in his hands.
HE. COULD. GO. ALL. THE. WAY.@UKFootball's Lynn Bowden goes 58 yards on the punt return TD! pic.twitter.com/ANzsiAsA5M
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 1, 2019
He caught 67 passes for 745 yards and five scores as a sophomore. Bowden is also a dominant return man for Kentucky. He averages 22.7 yards per kickoff return and 29.2 yards per return on punts. The punt return number is aided by two touchdowns on five attempts. Offensively, Bowden averages 9.7 yards per touch, including a 10.1-yard average last season.
Next. Potential NFL breakout stars for the 2019 season. dark
The Vikings need production out of the number three wide receiver. Bowden offers just that without having to spend a high draft pick. As of now, Bowden projects as a second or third-round draft pick. He cracked my summer scouting at 34th overall. He would be a fun weapon in the Viking offense.
Honorable mention: Kendrick Rogers, Texas A&M