For consecutive seasons the Minnesota Vikings first-round picks in Trae Waynes and Laquon Treadwell have played sparingly in their rookie season.
Waynes was a defensive back out of Michigan State who was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and he played in just 29 percent of the defensive snaps last season.
Treadwell, who was taken No. 23 overall, was a wide receiver from Ole Miss who was expected to open up the Vikings’ passing game, but similar to Waynes, he’s played in just 11 snaps through five games.
When first-round picks can’t find playing time in their rookie season, the initial reaction is that it’s a waste of a pick. However Vikings general manager Rick Spielman tells CBS Sports he doesn’t see it that way.
He believes it’s a luxury for those players to develop and that it’s not a necessity for them to come in and play right away.
Rick Spielman admitting that Trae Waynes and Laquon Treadwell weren't ready to play early on in their rookie seasons.
This quote is great. pic.twitter.com/pfrZ2v44oj
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 15, 2016
Waynes has already played in more snaps this season then he did all of last year and is actually playing better according to Pro Football Focus.
With receivers: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and even Cordarrelle Patterson playing well for the Vikings, it will be tough for Treadwell to find playing time this season, but that might be the best case scenario for his development.
