The Facts: After Treadwell's one-catch season for 15 yards, the Vikings hold out hope he'll prove worthy of the first-round draft pick for an offense that hasn't produced a 1,000-yard receiver since 2009. "[Treadwell] is going to be like any young player that's going from year one to year two. This is going to be an offseason that is very critical," OC Pat Shurmur said. "He's had a chance now to go through the process once. He'll have a feel for what it's going to feel like and we're anticipating he's going to come back and be raring to go and make great improvements."
Diehards Line:Injuries began to pile up for Treadwell after his feet were bothering him early in the year, according to HC Mike Zimmer. Following Treadwell’s first extended action — and only catch — against the Lions, he injured his hamstring in practice and didn’t play the next week. By the time Treadwell was up to speed and healthy enough, Sam Bradford and Shurmur had taken full control of the offense. Treadwell, the 23rd-overall pick in last year’s draft, didn’t earn enough playing time in practice or games to build a connection with the Vikings’ new quarterback. He saw just two targets over the following four games before an ankle injury shut him down for the season. A full offseason will allow Shurmur and a retooled coaching staff, including new receivers coach Darrell Hazell, to implement changes for last year’s 28th-ranked group. The Vikings hope one of those changes is the emergence of last year’s top draft pick.