Jaguars WR Laquon Treadwell faces uphill battle to make roster

The Jackson Jaguars recently worked out former Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. It seems like the tryout went well as they have announced they have signed the 2016 first-round selection. In a corresponding move, they released wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson

Treadwell will join a crowded wide receiver corps that includes DJ Chark Jr., Marvin Jones Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr. The Ole Miss product could compete for a roster spot, but he will have a hard time making the team, so what does he bring to the table and how high are his chances of sticking in Jacksonville?

The Vikes used the 23rd overall pick in 2016’s draft on Treadwell expecting him to become a key cog on an offense that featured Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Nevertheless, he struggled to find his footing during his tenure in Minnesota. The former Rebel was targeted just three times and hauled one pass for one reception for 15 yards with no touchdowns in his rookie campaign. That wasn’t necessarily alarming at the time. Some players need a bit more time to adjust to the pros but the 2017 season wasn’t much better as he caught just 20 receptions for 200 yards and no scores.

Treadwell saw a spike in receptions in 2018, hauling 35. On the other hand, he averaged a paltry 8.6 yards per catch. He also scored his first touchdown, a 14-yard pass from Kirk Cousins in the Vikings’ Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. After three years of minimal results, Minnesota released Treadwell in 2019 but they ended up bringing him back on a one-year deal. That year, yard-per-average went up to a whopping 20.4 but he only caught nine passes and finished with 184 yards.

Things didn’t get much better for the newest Jacksonville Jaguars receiver.

The Vikings finally moved on from Treadwell last offseason. The wide receiver then signed with the Falcons, but he was in danger of being cut even before the regular season started. In the end, he appeared in five games and logged six receptions for 49 yards and a career-high two touchdowns. Atlanta didn’t bring him back in 2021 and he hadn’t garnered much interest until the Jags came calling, so what did Jacksonville see in Treadwell?

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer says he remembers the wide receiver’s name from high school and college and was surprised when general manager Trent Baalke brought him in, “looked pretty good, big body that can rune and great hands”. Meyer added that he didn’t disappoint in the workout.

Treadwell will have to compete with Phillip Dorsett, and Jalen Camp, among other players, for a roster spot. Although he was a first-round pick back in 2016, he hasn’t produced like one, so he faces an uphill battle. On the other hand, he’s only 26 years old and may benefit from a change of scenery. The fact he’s on his third team in as many years is a bit concerning but the third time might be the charm for the Illinois native.

The Jaguars don’t lose anything by kicking the tires on Treadwell. You can never have enough good players and this Jacksonville team could end up with a valuable contributor down the road. Don’t bet on it, but don’t dismiss the possibility either.