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By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: Ole Miss had a superstar recruiting class back in 2013, landing some of the top players in the nation with Laremy Tunsil, Robert Nkemdiche and Treadwell. In that trio, two of the three had some off-the-field issues, and Treadwell is the one who didn’t. He produced in all three seasons for the Rebels to help elevate Ole Miss in the SEC.
As a freshman, Treadwell caught 72 receptions for 608 yards with five scores in 2013. He was on his way to a better year as a sophomore with 48 receptions for 632 yards and five touchdowns before an ugly leg injury ended his season. Treadwell broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle. In 2015, the junior came back to produce the best year of his career. He totaled 82 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final collegiate season. Treadwell was excellent against Alabama and Oklahoma State, but struggled against Florida and its talented cornerbacks of Vernon Hargreaves and Jalen Tabor.
For the NFL, Treadwell is a big, strong, possession receiver. He routinely used his size and strength to make catches over defensive backs for 50-50 passes for Ole Miss. That made Treadwell very dangerous in the red zone. Even though he isn’t very fast, he has some run-after-the-catch skills. Treadwell can pick up yards by getting north and south while also being tough to tackle in open field. On wide receiver screens, he is dangerous.Treadwell excels in the ground game as well. He is a tremendous blocker and one of the best blocking receivers to come into the NFL in years.
Some have projected Treadwell to go high in the first round, but I haven’t heard that from teams. The reason for that is speed. Treadwell will struggle to separate from NFL cornerbacks, who will be able to run with him. It also will be harder to complete 50-50 passes against them because they’re bigger than the corners Treadwell typically faced in college. Treadwell is also not explosive or sudden, thus separating will be a challenge in his route-running. He isn’t a deep threat to stretch a defense over the top. If Treadwell had speed, he’d be similar to Julio Jones or A.J. Green, but Treadwell is a lot slower than those two star receivers.
In speaking with a general manger of a playoff team, they said that Treadwell is a little overrated and view him as a big, strong, possession receiver for the NFL. Teams say they don’t expect Treadwell to run well at the Combine. Sources from multiple teams said they view Treadwell more as a late-first-round talent, but one who would be an awesome value in the second round. One team that likes Treadwell a bit more, has him graded as a mid-first-rounder. They like Treadwell more than others, believing he has some characteristics similar to the Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins in the ability to win 50-50 passes. Hopkins was a late-first-rounder in the 2013 NFL Draft, but Houston clearly outscouted the rest of the league as Hopkins is one of the best players to come out of that draft class.
Across the teams, sources expect Treadwell to get selected in the middle to late in the first round.
Player Comparison: Kenny Britt. Treadwell’s game is similar to Britt when Britt was playing well early in his career. They are similar in size and Britt (6-3, 220) was a dangerous run-after-the-catch receiver. Britt could have had more speed than Treadwell, but Treadwell’s plays with more physicality. Britt was the 30th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft in part because of character concerns. Treadwell could also be a mid- to late first-round prospect.
NFL Matches: Los Angeles, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Kansas City, San Diego, Washington, New York Giants, Detroit and Minnesota
The Rams need receiving help, and Treadwell would be a nice fit for them. He would give them a big option to complement the speedy Tavon Austin. Treadwell would also be a great fit as a blocker for Todd Gurley. Treadwell upgrade Los Angeles’ red-zone offense as well.
In Ohio, the Browns are desperate for play-makers, and Treadwell could be a nice addition for Hue Jackson if Cleveland trades up from the top of the second round. The Bengals could lose Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency, so Cincinnati could target Treadwell as a potential replacement in the first round.
In the AFC West, San Diego needs a young receiver to replace Malcolm Floyd while Kansas City could use more weapons to go with Jeremy Maclin. The Chiefs would have to take Treadwell in the first round, while the Chargers would have to trade up from their second-round pick to get him.
Carolina needs more receiving talent for Cam Newton, plus the Panthers like big receivers. Atlanta has to find a replacement for Roddy White, and New Orleans is in the same situation with Marques Colston. In the teens, Treadwell could appeal to the Falcons or Saints.
In the NFC East, the Redskins could have some turnover at receiver this offseason, and that could put them in the market for receiver help on draft day. They want a physical team, which Treadwell would fit. The Giants have to get a complement for Odell Beckham Jr. as well, but Treadwell is too rich at 10th overall in the first round. He would be more in play if he slides and the Giants trade up like they did for Landon Collins last year.
Detroit lost Calvin Johnson to retirement, and that opens up a huge hole in the Lions’ offense. The Vikings could move on from Mike Wallace and could use a receiver with some size to go with Stefon Diggs.
RELATED LINKS:
2016 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2016 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2016 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
NFL Picks - Nov. 17
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 13
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 12
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
