2016 NFL Draft Profile: Ole Miss wide receiver, LaQuon Treadwell

Potentially the best wide receiver in this year's draft class, LaQuon Treadwell has seen his stock take somewhat of a hit since his Pro Day where he recorded a 4.63 second 40-yard dash. Now, being characterized as slow and with a history of having trouble getting open in space, teams may be wondering if Treadwell is worthy of a first round draft pick. Let's take a look at the receiver to see what he has to offer the NFL team that drafts him.

LaQuon Treadwell

Height: 6’2"

Weight: 221 lbs

Age: 20

Class: Junior

School: Ole Miss

40-Yard Dash: 4.63 seconds

Vertical Jump: 33.5"

NFL comparisons:

• Alshon Jeffery (PFF)
• Kenny Britt (Walter Football)
• Brandon Marshall (Drafttek)
• DeAndre Hopkins (NFL)
• Dez Bryant (CBS Sports)

College Stats:

Important Notes:

• Very highly recruited out of high school
• Leg Injury in 2014 (broken fibula and dislocated ankle); recovered well and excelled in 2015

Scouting Report Consensus - What to like:

• Great ball skills, strong hands
  
• Natural athleticism
• Good body control
• Good blocker
• Fierce competitor
• Great at winning 50/50 Balls
• Good long stride speed when building up speed
  
• Strength and ability to make it hard to bring him down and produce good yards after catch
• Great red zone target
• Strong against press coverage

Scouting Report Consensus - What to not like:

• Needs work on route running; not experienced
• Speed is not explosive
• Struggles to separate from defenders off man coverage; primarily relies on dominant strength and ability to fight for balls
• Fiery competitive nature leads to bad penalties
  
• Can lack focus and run before catching the ball, leading to some drops

Projected Round:

Mid to late Round 1

Immediately after the 2015 college football season, Treadwell was considered the top wide receiver prospect and a likely top 10 pick. Since then, his draft stock has trended downward, primarily due to a slow 4.63 40-yard dash speed at Ole Miss' Pro Day, which the Bengals attended.

Conclusion:

His ball skills and athleticism give him a very high ceiling as as true #1 receiver, as his pro comparisons indicate. He comes with no red flags, and is a great competitor. Treadwell is not the most polished receiver in the 2015 class, and enters the draft with some work to do, but at only 20-years-old, he has the time and seems to have the desire to get to an elite level.

If the Bengals draft Treadwell, due to his raw attributes, he would likely not be starting opposite A.J. Green in Week 1. He would more likely be a third or fourth option early in the season, who sees his time increase by the end of the year, with a workload akin to Dorial Green-Beckham last season with the Titans. If the Bengals want a receiver they know can be their Marvin Jones replacement in Week 1, they would likely pass on Treadwell. But if they continue their Best Player Available strategy and look long-term, Treadwell could be their target, which means they would likely grab a lower ceiling, higher floor receiver later in the draft, too.