The Minnesota Vikings should try to trade Laquon Treadwell this offseason

After being drafted in the first round in 2016, the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver has not done much to prove his worth on the roster.

Heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, Laquon Treadwell was regarded as one of the top wide receivers of his class. Out of the University of Mississippi, Treadwell had the prototypical frame that scouts fall in love with (6-foot-2, 221 pounds) and the statistics to add to his intrigue (82 catches, 1,153 yards, 11 touchdowns as a junior).

Some had their doubts about him succeeding at the pro level due to his lack of speed (sub 4.6 40-yard dash time) and his inability to consistently separate from defenders. But the Minnesota Vikings clearly felt Treadwell was still worth the 23rd overall selection the team used on him at the 2016 draft.

After a forgetful rookie season with the Vikings that saw him finish with just one catch in nine appearances, the young receiver was given more playing time in 2017. However, the results were not that much better than what he did in 2016.

In 16 games last season, Treadwell only caught 20 passes for 200 yards. The Minnesota receiver has still not been able to find the end zone yet during his time in the NFL either.

Perhaps the Vikings saw Treadwell progress as a player in 2017, but his production is still not what the team was hoping for when they drafted him in the first round two years ago.

Of the 14 wide receivers taken in the first four rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft, only one (Leonte Carroo) has less catches than Treadwell in the last two years.

It may be too early for Minnesota to completely give up on the young receiver, but they need to at least see what they can get for him in a trade this offseason. Especially since the Vikings only have five selections right now in this year’s draft.

Minnesota Vikings

Currently, Minnesota does not have a fourth or a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has become known for compiling draft selections as the team has had at least 10 picks in two of the last three years.

So one would think that Spielman will be figuring out how to get at least two more selections before the draft in April. In exchange for Treadwell, Minnesota shoud be able to get a 2017 seventh-round pick, if not something better since he is still only 22-years-old.

A team with multiple seventh-round selections in this year’s draft like the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, or Washington Redskins would be more likely to work out a deal with the Vikings for the receiver.

If Spielman can figure out a way get higher than a fifth-round pick for Treadwell, than the acquisition would be considered a steal for Minnesota.

Next: Kirk Cousins could be what the Vikings need

Should the Vikings actually end up trading the receiver this offseason, the team should not have any trouble finding someone to take over his role in the offense in 2018. Jarius Wright proved he can come through in the clutch last season and Stacy Coley will be itching for more playing time in 2018 after only appearing in four games last year.