The Vikings have Teddy Bridgewater's new best friend under contract.
First-round wideout Laquon Treadwell signed his rookie deal on Thursday, according to his representatives at Impact Sports Management:
The No. 23 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Treadwell is a big, physical receiver who has a chance to start right away in Norv Turner's offense. If his speed raised questions before the draft -- he ran a 4.63 forty at his pro day -- the former Mississippi star gives Minnesota an imposing weapon who can win battles in coverage.
"He's got a lot of traits like Anquan Boldin," one scout told Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "His physicality. He won't be the fastest but he does have size and stature. ... Plays with an attitude. A lot of people knock him on the speed but when the ball's at the catch point he comes down with it."
Treadwell suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in 2014, but the Vikings are convinced he can increase his speed with another year removed from the injury, per ESPN.com's Ben Goessling.
"Solid," a second scout told McGinn. "Larry Fitzgerald didn't run well. Even Jerry Rice, he never ran better than 4.6. I hate to get scared off by the time but I would not take him (in the first round)."
The Vikings felt differently, believing that Treadwell has what it takes to lift Minnesota's passing game to another level alongside Stefon Diggs, Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright and Cordarrelle Patterson.Â
