In the six sessions that were open to the media during Organized Team Activity and minicamp practices, Laquon Treadwell turned some heads.
The Vikings wide receiver ran with the first-team offense in three-receiver sets this spring and seemed to make a noticeable play each day as he developed a rapport with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
ESPN recently highlighted the surprise camp standouts of 2018, with Vikings beat writer Courtney Cronin putting the spotlight on Treadwell for his strong spring.
Cronin wrote:
After a disappointing first two seasons, things appear to be looking up for the Vikings' 2016 first-rounder. Treadwell spent spring workouts running with the first-team offense, a welcome sign for many who are hoping the 6-foot-2 receiver can finally turn the corner in his third season. It's still too early to predict whether Treadwell will win the No. 3 receiver job, but the strides he has made this offseason on the field and personally —he has said he's working smarter — are an important sign of growth.
Treadwell was a first-round pick in 2016 who has 21 catches for 215 yards in his first two years in the NFL.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer lauded Treadwell's approach this spring when asked about the former Mississippi standout.
"So far, so good," Zimmer said. "I happened to see him here [on June 8] and I asked him, 'What are you doing today?' He said, 'I'm just getting some treatment.'
"Hopefully that's improved, that part of it. He's done a nice job, he's caught the ball well this spring," Zimmer added. "He's still got some areas where he's got to continue to improve. He had a false start out there [on June 12], and he had one wrong route, but he's learning the offense as well."
Griffen listed among top NFL players over 30 years old
Everson Griffen is held in high esteem by his peers, as evident by his No. 19 ranking on the NFL's Top 100 list that was revealed Monday night.
Others around the league have high praise for the Vikings defensive end, especially as he approaches his ninth professional season.
Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS sports recently put out a list of his top 30 NFL players who are aged 30 years or older, and he had Griffen on there in the 11th spot.
Wagner-McGough wrote:
The Vikings' defense is also stacked, so it seems like Griffen also goes a bit unnoticed. He shouldn't. He's coming off a 13-sack season and he's got 61 sacks since 2011, the latter of which ranks 10th in that span. Griffen might not be as good as pass rushers like Von Miller or Khalil Mack, but he's in that next tier.
Besides establishing a career-high 13 sacks in 2017, Griffen also recorded 47 total tackles (according to coaches' tally) with 16 tackles for loss and a team-high three forced fumbles.
Griffen's career sack total of 61 ranks seventh in franchise history.
