The NFL draft almost featured another big trade, but in the end the Chiefs were unable to move up and grab Laquon Treadwell.
The Minnesota Vikings almost ended up not getting Laquon Treadwell. According to a report from Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, another team at one point was trying to trade up and get the receiver.
Source tells me @Chiefs tried to trade up for @SuccessfulQuon, who went to @Vikings at No. 23. KC later traded out of 1st round @SiriusXMNFL
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 29, 2016
Marvez doesn’t say if the Chiefs contacted the Vikings or one of the teams picking ahead of them, but Vikings GM Rick Spielman did admit Thursday night that the team fielded calls about the #23 pick but ultimately elected to stay put.
Would the Vikings have considered trading out of the #23 spot, thereby giving up the chance to take Treadwell after missing out on Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman and Will Fuller, had some team come along with a sweet enough deal?
Who knows?
What we do know is that the Vikings seem very happy today about their new receiver. Mike Zimmer in his Thursday night presser praised Treadwell’s tough, competitive nature and gave Treadwell praise for his blocking. Spielman addressed questions about Treadwell’s speed by saying he thinks Treadwell will get faster as he continues to recover from the leg injury he suffered a year ago.
Even Adrian Peterson got in on the Treadwell love.
Great pick Viking nation! Laquon Treadwell set your mind on winning a Championship son!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) April 29, 2016
You would expect people in the Vikings organization to say nice things about Treadwell, but there are also plenty of objective observers who think the Vikes did a great job by picking up the former Ole Miss receiver.
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Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com was particularly impressed by the pick.
Treadwell pick. Grade: A. He’s the next Dez Bryant. Love his toughness even if he doesn’t time well.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) April 29, 2016
Matt Bowen also seemed to like the selection.
Treadwell & #Vikings: Size/toughness at WR for Bridgewater. Own the middle of the field. Red zone production. Catch radius. Physical player.
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 29, 2016
It looks like the Chiefs were pretty high on Treadwell too but they couldn’t make the deal to move up and get him.