After the Minnesota Vikings spent the No. 23 overall pick on WR Laquon Treadwell in the 2016 NFL Draft, the former Ole Miss star was a major disappointment.

While appearing in nine games, Treadwell managed only one reception for 15 yards — not exactly the level of production the Vikings had in mind.

As he prepares for his second professional season, Treadwell admitted to StarTribune.com that he wasn’t ready for the level of competition in the NFL and had to learn how to be a receiver all over again:

“I was good enough,” he said. “It’s just, when it was time to win at certain points in my route, I didn’t have the formula. Watching [Stefon] Diggs and watching [Adam] Thielen, they were very technical. That’s why they were able to beat guys consistently. I didn’t know how to win. That was my biggest thing: I knew I could win. I just didn’t know how. I spent a lot of time learning how to play — be a true receiver, instead of just relying on God-given talent and ability.”

Treadwell said he relied on his natural talent too much at the other stages of his career and needed to really focus on his technique as a rookie last year:

“College, high school, Pop Warner league, I was always more talented or just had more will to win, I guess. I got away with a lot of things,” Treadwell said. “I got here, and God just was telling me, ‘They want to win just as bad as you.’ I just took the time to really focus on my technique. The talent is showing with the technique now.”

Treadwell is recovering from a hamstring injury and has been limited in practice, but as he works his way back into playing shape, he’ll need to prove to the Vikings that he deserves to be on the field this fall.