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After skipping out on the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Laquon Treadwell finally gave scouts what they wanted at Ole Miss' pro day on Monday morning. The results? About what we expected, if a bit underwhelming. He galloped out a 4.65 in his first run, then shaved it down to 4.63 the second time around (both of those are unofficial).
Second attempt for Laquon Treadwell at Ole Miss pro day. pic.twitter.com/AmxHSQ66nT
— Nick Cole (@NickColeSports) March 28, 2016
Keep in mind that these are hand-timed (as opposed to laser-timed like the Combine), which leads to a bit of inconsistency (fortunately, Hugh Kellenberger brought this iPhone).
So is that a bad number?
Well, it's certainly not good. To put it in perspective, 4.63 would have been the 29th fastest time among wideouts at the Combine. Treadwell had said previously that his goal was something in the 4.5 range.
But we knew coming into the day that Treadwell wouldn't run a great time. His game isn't built on blinding speed and he's not the kind of guy who's gonna stand out in these evaluation drills. He also underwhelmed with his vertical jump (33.5 inches).
NFL scouts are going to pick Laquon Treadwell's 40 time apart.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) March 28, 2016
That's dumb.
He's not a 40 guy.
Why does it even matter? Treadwell had plenty of production during his career.
At the end of the day, it's the game film that matters most to the pro evaluaters, and Treadwell has plenty of tape that proves he's an otherworldly pass-catching monster.
Laquon Treadwell's 40 time is a little disappointing, especially since there's not like, several years of film of him ruining DBs' lives
— Peter Berkes (@peterberkes) March 28, 2016
But the 40 time does mean something for a wide receiver. That's particularly true for Treadwell, since he's been criticized for not being able to create separation during his college career. In college it didn't really matter if he was open or not -- he could just bully DBs out of the way and grab the ball. He won't be able to rely as much on that physicality at the next level, which is why there's so much import being placed on his straight-line speed.
So will this hurt his stock?
It might be enough to keep him out of the top 10, but there weren't many experts projecting him that high anyway.
I don't think today's numbers drop Treadwell. He's ranked No. 17 overall for me @scotchua
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 28, 2016
Better numbers might have pushed Laquon up the board a bit, but his pro day shouldn't be enough to drop him out of the mid-teens/early-20s. That puts him in play for the Rams (No. 15), Lions (No. 16), Bills (No. 19), Vikings (No. 23) and Bengals (No. 24), all of whom need a wideout and were in Oxford on Monday.
The wideout class is relatively weak this year, which should ensure that Quon doesn't drop too far. His only real competition for the top wideout is Baylor Corey Coleman, who is a very different style of receiver.
If Corey Coleman ran a 4.6 it'd be an issue. If Treadwell measured in at 5'11 it'd be an issue. Just need you win the way you win.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) March 28, 2016