When it comes to rookies, I hold my tongue on making any overblown predictions. When it comes to wide receiver rookies, I don’t touch the subject. That is… until now.
After spending 3 days – THREE DAYS – down at Vikings training camp, I’m ready to not only proclaim Laquon Treadwell, as a potential number one. I’m ready to proclaim him the Vikings number one and a staple in this league for a long, long time.
I remember back in the day, when I first dipped my pen in the ink of football writing, I covered the Kansas City Chiefs at UW-River Falls. The Chiefs had two notable pro bowlers at the time, Larry Johnson and Dwayne Bowe. I would watch these two guys closely, as everyone wanted to know the most about their team’s superstars. What I saw was a joke… Both guys joking, messing around and not taking the game seriously. Now, I understand that after a certain number of camps, you’re bored or putting in a half-hearted effort. But, to be a true professional, is what it’s all about.
The Vikings have one of those guys – Chad Greenway. I’m hoping that Teddy is another. With complete certainty, I believe Laquon Treadwell is as well. Laquon was the first one at camp, often the first one on the field, and always the wide out running laps after practice had long ended. Laquon stopped for fans, all three days I was there. When the fans cheered for him, or called him by name, he smiled and waves back.
Let me be clear and honest in saying… I did NOT expect this from the little I had been exposed to Laquon prior to heading down to Mankato. The first day I thought, yeah ok… well it’s the first day of camp and he’s sucking up. But, over the course of the next two, his work ethic never ceased. You can see it in his eyes and in the way he works, Laquon is what the Vikings have been missing for so long. Forever really.
Laquon did look faster than his 40 time (of which injury came into play). But, don’t expect him to be a sprinter. That’s not his game. Laquon is steady, smart and reliable. He will fight for the ball… he will put himself in position… and he will run the strongest route of any other receiver out there… his cuts cause cornerbacks to shake out of their cleats. He appears light as he glides down the field, but his physical nature comes into play against the big bodied Xavier Rhodes.
I like Stefon Diggs. I loved watching him work. He truly wants to get better. He is and will be a special player. But, I’m telling you, this Laquon kid… he’s the real deal. He was born to play this position and this sport.
If I had to project, which I hate doing, his stats this year, I would put him at around 800 yards, 11 touchdowns. I love him in the red zone.
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