Laquon Treadwell Finds a New Team
Dustin Baker
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Former Minnesota Vikings wideout Laquon Treadwell made it team No. 4 on Labor Day, signing with the New England Patriots in a practice-squad capacity.
The Vikings drafted Treadwell in 2016 with the 23rd overall pick but did not receive a significant return on investment.
The Patriots employ Devante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, and Nelson Agholor, so Treadwell isn’t likely to fully rectify a wayward career in New England. However, those four players also aren’t superstars. Treadwell could see some action with second-year passer Mac Jones if injuries arise.
The Vikings opted for Treadwell in the 1st Round of the 2016 NFL Draft at a spot where they could’ve landed Xavien Howard, Derrick Henry, Michael Thomas, or Kenny Clark. But that type of revisionist history can be cited for nearly any pick in any draft.
Minnesota stubbornly clung to Treadwell, hoping he’d bust out to stardom. He played in 53 Vikings games in four years, tabulating just 701 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It was a rare 1st-Round miss for the Vikings at wide receiver.
Treadwell’s 1st-Round fifth-year option was not renewed by the Vikings in 2020, sending him first to the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 and then Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. He recorded a “career year” in 2021, accruing 33 catches for 434 yards on a bad Jaguars team.
The Ole Miss alumnus wasn’t a priority to re-sign, though, as Doug Pederson took over the Jaguars coaching staff. Accordingly, Treadwell visited free agency and waited until one week before the regular season to join the Patriots.
Treadwell turned 27 in June. He logged an impressive 72.0 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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