Former Vikings draft bust may not make it out of another training camp

Minnesota Vikings, Laquon Treadwell
Minnesota Vikings, Laquon Treadwell | Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages

Back in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings took one of their worst gambles of the 21st century when they selected Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.

Many folks hated the pick immediately after the draft, and that opinion has yet to change almost 10 years later. Now, Treadwell is somehow hanging onto his NFL career but might not survive training camp with the Indianapolis Colts.

Going into his 10th season, somehow, Treadwell is now in his second year with the Colts. Last year, however, he did not end up making the permanent roster. Instead, he was relegated to a practice squad spot.

Former Minnesota Vikings draft bust Laquon Treadwell's career is hanging on by a thread

During his stint with the Colts last year, Treadwell ended up being active for two regular season games. In those games, he played just a total of seven snaps and was not targeted. He did play a tad more on special teams, going 19 snaps in that area.

Treadwell is in a familiar spot as he was last year. The Colts have the same core of wide receivers they did following the 2024 NFL Draft, but this year, Treadwell's added competition comes by way of four undrafted rookies and one veteran signing (Ajou Ajou).

Treadwell already has an uphill battle as the Colts' likely wide receiver room will consist of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, and Anthony Gould.

Dulin and Gould might be passable on the depth chart, but the Colts have invested in both in one way or another. Gould was a draft pick while Dulin has been with Indy his entire career dating back to 2019.

Can Treadwell manage to extend his pro career into Year 10? That's the big question.

Based on last year, this very well could be the end for him.

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