How will the wide receiver depth chart look in 2018 for the Minnesota Vikings after adding the free-agent pass-catcher on Friday?
Following the recent release of veteran wide receiver Jarius Wright, some believed that it was a move that would allow Laquon Treadwell to prove his worth to the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. The Vikings’ 2016 first-round draft pick would have no excuses to not take the next steps in his progression as a pass-catcher.
However, Minnesota’s plans for Treadwell next season may not be so clear anymore after the team announced the signing of free-agent wide receiver Kendall Wright on Friday.
A first-round draft pick himself (2012), Kendall Wright is a clear upgrade over what the Vikings had with Jarius Wright last year. As a member of the Chicago Bears last season, Kendall Wright lead the team in catches and receiving yards.
Minnesota Vikings
Some will brush that info aside and say that his production was with a horrible Bears team in 2017, so it doesn’t mean a whole lot. But he was still one of just 32 players in the NFL last season to lead his team in receptions and that’s still a pretty big deal.
Wright is certainly capable of challenging Treadwell to be the Vikings’ third receiver in 2018. But that all really depends on what Minnesota wants to do on offense next season.
The scheme new Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo is expected to run in 2018 will likely have a lot of West Coast elements. Meaning, a bunch of quicker, shorter throws to pass-catchers that allows them to make plays with the ball in their hands.
This type of offense also relies on receivers being able to get separation quickly, something that Treadwell has struggled with during his two seasons with the Vikings. Unlike Wright, whose route running abilities have allowed him to break free from coverage ever since he entered the league in 2012.
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The addition of Wright makes it seem like Minnesota could be leaning toward having a passing offense that features a bunch of receivers on the smaller side of the spectrum. If this does end up being the case, then Treadwell could be looking on from the sidelines more often than not in 2018.