ESPN's Mel Kiper has question about Laquon Treadwell
OXFORD - Laquon Treadwell caught more than 200 passes in his three-year Ole Miss career, but ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. still has questions about the wide receiver’s draft stock.
Kiper praised Treadwell’s concentration, hands, physicality, strength and toughness but believes the former Ole Miss star needs to run a fast 40-yard dash to prove himself. Treadwell can do so at the combine, which starts Tuesday, and at Ole Miss’ pro day on March 28. However, GM Junior Scouting reported Monday that Treadwell will not run at the combine.
“Laquon Treadwell is the top receiver,” Kiper said. “If he runs well, maybe he’s a top 10 pick. If not, probably top 15 to top 20. He’s one to watch (at the combine).”
Kiper projected the Los Angeles Rams to select Treadwell with the 15th overall pick, describing him as someone who could make an impact in his rookie season. He compared Treadwell to Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery, who has caught 24 touchdowns in four seasons.
Treadwell finished with 202 catches for 2,393 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Rebels, setting 12 program records. He caught six passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns in the Sugar Bowl.
The NFL draft begins April 28 in Chicago.
Kiper also projected former left tackle Laremy Tunsil to be chosen first overall by the Tennessee Titans because of the team’s need to improve its offensive line for quarterback Marcus Mariota.
“(Tunsil is) certainly viable as the No. 1 player on the board,” Kiper said. “You got (Taylor) Lewan who could move to right tackle. Now you would bring in Tunsil, you have tremendous, young bookends to help your young quarterback emerge and stay healthy and stay upright.”
Kiper named former Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner and former Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey as other options for being the best player available in the draft. Both of them were projected to be chosen within the first five picks.
Tunsil was named a two-time All-American and gave up just two sacks in 29 games.
Kiper predicted the third former Ole Miss player to declare early for the draft, Robert Nkemdiche, would be taken at No. 26 by the Seattle Seahawks.
The defensive tackle has been widely projected to go within the top 10 picks, but Kiper believes teams may be concerned with his off-field issues and production while at Ole Miss.
Nkemdiche was charged with possession of marijuana in December, which led to him being suspended for the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State on Jan. 1. Nkemdiche finished his Ole Miss career with 98 tackles (19 for loss) and seven sacks.
“I think when you look at Nkemdiche, the production — I understand he was double-teamed, triple-teamed,” Kiper said. “But in the NFL, you’re going to have the best in the world doing it, and in college, that’s not the case. I can’t just excuse that away like some have. And then the off-the-field concerns, that’s why I have him going late (first round).
“I thought Robert Nkemdiche if he were there would be a (coach) Pete Carroll/(general manager) John Schneider type of pick. I thought that would be a real nice fit for him based on the fact that Seattle could kind of roll the dice and feel like, ‘Hey, we’re getting a guy who on most boards would be in the top five to 10 at the beginning of the year and now here he is at pick No. 26.”
Contact Daniel Paulling at dpaulling@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @DanielPaulling on Twitter.