Los Angeles Rams Should Avoid Drafting Laquon Treadwell

Laquon Treadwell’s name has been commonplace at the tops of draft boards so far, in fact, he has been a common draft choice for the Los Angeles Rams in several mock drafts. However, while the Rams do need a wide receiver, is Treadwell the number one guy that the Rams are looking for?

While there’s no doubting that Treadwell possesses the prototypical size and hands that could make him a number one receiver, there are some legitimate concerns regarding his speed and ability to break away from defenders. The Ole Miss receiver consistently separates far less than most of the receivers in this class.

The Rams already have an issue with that with their current top receiver Kenny Britt. The team needs a receiver that can create separation, and Treadwell isn’t that guy. The Rams currently have two identical receivers in Britt and Brian Quick. Both players who struggle to create separation and both players that succeed winning the 50/50 ball. Do they really need a third receiver that has the exact same skill set?

There are serious concerns on how Treadwell will perform against some of the league’s better press corners. He is a real red-zone target, but he might not be that complete all-around receiver like the Julio Jones’, Calvin Johnson’s, and Amari Cooper’s that have gone atop drafts in years prior.

While Treadwell has tremendous blocking abilities and of course, the size, he may be nothing more than a possession receiver in the NFL. First round receivers aren’t drafted to be middle of the road possession guys, they’re selected to be stars, and it’s uncertain if Treadwell can be a star in the NFL.

There is a lot to like about Treadwell, and he may even be the top receiver in the class, but that doesn’t automatically make him a top 15 pick or even the receiver that the Rams need. The Rams haven’t had a lot of good luck in drafting receivers over the last couple of years. They may have gotten it right with Tavon Austin, but they are still missing that explosive player who can play on the outside.

Treadwell is not that guy.

The fact of the matter is, while the Rams seriously need offense, this draft isn’t necessarily a good one at the top on the offensive side of the ball. Reaching for a guy just because he’s at a position of need isn’t a good philosophy to follow and it thankfully hasn’t been the M.O. of Les Snead and Jeff Fisher in recent years.

Treadwell may be considered the top receiver in this class, but considering the receiver talent in this draft, that isn’t saying an awful lot. The Rams have other needs that they can fill at 15 with top talent and over drafting for need and for a middle of the road receiver isn’t the answer.