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Carolina Panthers: 5 Free Agent Wide Receiver Targets

By Christian Candeloro

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Josh Gordon #10 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Josh Gordon #10 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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No. 2: Laquon Treadwell

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Laquon Treadwell #11 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the start of the game aganist the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Laquon Treadwell #11 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to the start of the game aganist the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Another reported draft bust, Laquon Treadwell could fit the bill of a reclamation project for the Panthers. Originally drafted with the 23rd pick in the 2016 Draft, Treadwell was expected to have a much larger impact on the Vikings offense than he has and is poised to hit free agency with little fanfare. Through four NFL seasons, Treadwell has only 65 catches for 701 yards and two touchdowns, having been completely overshadowed by Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in Minnesota.

So why would Carolina want him? Well for one, he’s still only 24 years old, less than six months older than presumed No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow.  To think that his development still has time is not a crazy thought. Meanwhile, he’d likely be incredibly cheap. After he was cut last season by the Vikings, they brought him back after a slew of injuries to their wide receivers. His total contract was $720,000. If he’d be willing to come to Carolina on a similar deal, why not take a look and see if Matt Rhule can salvage his talent?

When he was a prospect, NBC Sports had this to say about him in his prospect profile:

"Treadwell displayed his physical dominance in college both before and after the catch. Treadwell fits the template for a focal point of an offense at 6’2/221 lbs. His game did not slow down in 2015 after returning from a horrific leg injury. Treadwell can win at every level of the field with position and agility for someone of his size. He is used to catching erratic targets away from his body.”"

If Rhule can get any of that guy on the Panthers roster, then it’s worth a shot. In my opinion, it’s better to have a lottery ticket like Treadwell than someone like Jarius Wright, who at 30 has hit his development ceiling.

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