Treadwell's playing time sporadic, but experience valuable
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell has been a nonfactor in his rookie season, with one reception for 15 yards. Only recently has he begun to see more significant action, playing 34 of 58 snaps at Detroit on Nov. 24, and 11 of 74 snaps against Dallas on Dec. 1. Though Treadwell wasn't targeted on any of Sam Bradford's 37 passes in that game against the Lions, he emerged with valuable experience.
"That game really helped me with my mental state, just feeling the game, going the actual speed of the game," said Treadwell, the 23rd overall pick in the draft out of Mississippi. "I was competing every day in practice making plays, but once you're in the game it's a whole new edge of intensity that you have to play with."
With wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen each having already established career highs in receptions and yards, and the re-emergence of Cordarrelle Patterson in the offense, the Vikings haven't been counting on Treadwell. But the lack of production has been startling for a first-rounder.
"Once the season gets here, there's not a lot of reps, especially for someone who might be behind a couple guys. The starters are usually the ones who take all of them. So, it's just hard for him to get time, but I think in the past couple weeks, he has really shown some flashes," Bradford said. "And he's a guy that we feel like if we can get him involved and get him some targets, I think it would be good. I think the biggest thing for him is just experience and just getting out there and playing."
