The 2016 NFL Draft is expected to be loaded with plenty of young talented playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, but at the wide receiver position, it's unclear as to who should be at the top of the list.
One player that has been consistently projected as a first round talent since the beginning of the college football season is Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. The Rebels receiver is not the quickest in this year's draft class, but his ability to catch contested passes make him a rare talent that multiple team are interested in.
Treadwell listed at least four of those teams on Thursday, saying that the Bengals, Cowboys, Bears and Browns are among the primary teams that are interested in him. The 6-foot-2, 221-pound receiver also mentioned that he would be traveling to New York, but he didn't include if it was the Giants, Jets or both franchises that he would be meeting with.
It's understandable why multiple teams are interested in the Ole Miss receiver, as he could be a rare talent at the next level and has drawn comparisons with Houston Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. "He's going to get beat up because he's slow but I like everything else he does," one AFC Southeastern scout said. "You would think scouts would learn about overestimating speed and underestimating tape. He'll go in the first but not sure how high."
In his junior season, Treadwell led the Rebels in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,153) while scoring 11 touchdowns. The Ole Miss wide out showed up in the biggest games for the Rebels, as he recorded five receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown over Alabama, and he caught six passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns in Ole Miss' Sugar Bowl win over Oklahoma State.
While Treadwell may not have the speed that other receivers do in this draft, his ability to go up and grab passes away from defenders makes him a rare commodity that could fit with almost any team in the league. The coveted receiver has strong hands and is a reliable target for quarterbacks on third-down situations. Some draft analysts considered Treadwell to be the top receiver in this year's class, and the Ole Miss wide out should make his presence felt as a rookie in the league.
Treadwell was named to the first-team All-SEC by league coaches, and it's clear why so many teams are showing interest, as they know he can make an impact in week one. It's unknown where the talented Rebels receiver will land in this year's draft, but don't expect him to fall out of the first round, as he is too special a talent for 31 teams to pass up on.
