To say Vikings first-round pick Laquon Treadwell has gotten off to a slow start would be an understatement.
Through Minnesota’s first 11 games Treadwell – who many thought was drafted to provide the Vikings with a deep threat – has been virtually a non-factor.
He’s played in just a handful of games and caught one pass for 15 yards.
But that could soon change as Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur say they’ve seen big improvements in Treadwell.
.@SuccessfulQuon is gaining confidence with each snap.
đź“°: https://t.co/wtO8Yh8KPM pic.twitter.com/lnzealGrna
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 28, 2016
Your plates may have been a little full of turkey to notice, but the 22-year-old made his first NFL start on Thursday in Detroit. While he didn’t catch a pass he did play a career-high 34 offensive snaps.
So after losing 5-of-their-last-6 games, and with an offense stuck in neutral, are the Vikings finally taking the training wheels off Treadwell?
“I’ve just been working hard, waiting on my turn. It’s my turn, so I just have to keep going,” Treadwell told reporters Monday. “The last game really helped me with my mental state and feeling the game out.”
Following Thursday’s loss to the Lions Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford said the offense needs to be more explosive.
So don’t be surprised if Bradford looks to get the ball down field more Thursday night against Dallas. Could that mean a chance for Treadwell to show what he can do?
Treadwell says he’s more than willing to help the Vikings offense stretch the field.
“I think we all can do it and we’re all capable of it,” Treadwell said. “We take very few chances of going down the field but the receivers are ready, the quarterback is ready, we just have to take them.”
