Among the league's most disappointing first-round picks in the past few seasons, Laquon Treadwell is near the top of the list. The Minnesota Vikings used their 23rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to select the 6-foot-2 wide receiver out of Ole Miss.
At the time, the Vikings initially thought they were getting a playmaking wideout who would become a focal point for their offense for years to come. After watching him play in his rookie season, their outlook on Treadwell drastically changed.
In his rookie season, Treadwell was on the active roster for nine games and started in just one of them. All in all, the rookie pass catcher caught just one pass for 15 yards in his abysmal rookie campaign.
Since then, it hasn't gotten much better for the Illinois native as he enters his fourth season with the franchise. Through three seasons in the NFL, Treadwell's development hasn't lived up to his first-round status.
Therefore, the Vikings could become interested in parting from Treadwell. Many teams could view Treadwell as a low-risk, high-reward player who could improve their offense. Maybe a change of scenery is exactly what the fourth-year receiver needs to excel in the NFL.
If Minnesota picks up the phone to take calls for Treadwell, here are three teams which should consider trading for the Vikings' wide receiver.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals would be an intriguing option for Laquon Treadwell as they begin a new era under Zac Taylor. With the current state of the Bengals' wide receiver position, they could use Treadwell.
In one of the first practices of training camp, All-Pro A.J. Green suffered an ankle injury that will cause him to miss the start of the 2019 season. As a result, the team is relying upon 2018 breakout player Tyler Boyd and teammate John Ross to become the main targets for Andy Dalton.
Similar to Treadwell, Ross has been labeled a bust after Cincinnati took him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Behind Boyd and Ross, Alex Erickson and Josh Malone are two of the men who could become the team's slot receiver to begin the season.
Bringing in Laquon Treadwell could allow Cincinnati to find a player who could produce in Green's absence. Plus, Treadwell could use some guidance from Green. At the least, the Bengals could develop Treadwell behind the scenes until he's ready to receive meaningful snaps.
2. Washington Redskins
Another team which could use some help at wide receiver is the Washington Redskins. Earlier this offseason, Jamison Crowder left in free agency for the New York Jets.
Crowder's departure enabled Washington's former first-round pick, Josh Doctson, to lead the receiving corps in 2019. In the last two seasons, Doctson has caught 79 receptions for 1,034 yards and eight touchdowns.
Beside Doctson, Paul Richardson is the only other receiver on the roster with much experience in the NFL. Currently, the Redskins have yet to decide who will start at quarterback in Week 1. Regardless of who starts, they are going to need viable pass catchers this season.
If the Redskins acquire Laquon Treadwell, the 24-year old wide receiver would likely be inserted into the starting offense. On paper, it's hard to feel confident in Washington's wide receiver group right now; Treadwell could possibly change that.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
When the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Nick Foles to be their quarterback, people began to question if he could succeed with the current receivers on the roster. Considering the number of weapons the Philadelphia Eagles had with Foles, it's hard to depose that claim.
With the Eagles, Foles was able to throw to Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, and Darren Sproles. Now, in Jacksonville, Foles gets to work with a young but unproven group of wide receivers.
As it currently stands, Dede Westbrook, Marquise Lee, and Chris Conley will be the top three receivers on the roster. Along with them, D.J. Chark and Keelan Cole figure to have roles in the offense as well.
Foles is going to notice that none of those guys are big, physical options as Jeffery was for him in Philadelphia. The Jaguars could use a bigger receiver on their team and Treadwell could provide that.
At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Laquon Treadwell could become a red-zone threat and possibly more for the Jaguars as the season progresses. Depending on the possible value the Vikings would want in return, the Jaguars would be remiss not to consider making a move for Treadwell.
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