What Will the Vikings Do With Moritz Böhringer?

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Training camp begins in a matter of days for the Minnesota Vikings and soon, many of the team’s offseason questions will hopefully be answered. The Vikings added two new wide receivers in the most recent NFL Draft in Laquon Treadwell and Moritz Böhringer, and at least one of them could become a significant contributor as soon as this season.

Having the ability to produce in 2016 seems to weigh heavily on the side of Treadwell, so that leaves Böhringer. If Minnesota cannot find a spot for him on the active roster before the start of the regular season, what will they do with the German-born receiver?

At 6’4” and 227 pounds to go with his 4.4 40 time, the 22-year-old Böhringer has a tremendous amount of potential. But does his potential extend to the NFL?

His story would be a great one to brag about if he were ever able to play in a meaningful NFL game. However, the chances of him making Minnesota’s roster in 2016 seem slim at best.

How much can truly be expected of a player who played for a team in Germany that only practiced once a week? His size and physical attributes give him an advantage over others, but it may be the complex, mental aspect of the game that could prevent him from having any immediate success in the league.

His chance at making Minnesota’s opening day roster will likely depend on his ability to learn the playbook and being able to contribute on special teams. Given that he is a mechanical engineering major, perhaps his book smarts could prove to help him soak up the Vikings offense quicker than expected?

When it comes time for Minnesota’s training camp, he will be competing for a spot on the Vikings roster with at least three other receivers in Charles Johnson, Cordarelle Patterson, and Adam Thielen. Since Patterson and Thielen produce at a high level on Minnesota’s special teams unit, Böhringer’s best chance at beating another player out for a roster spot may be to out perform Johnson.

If Böhringer does not end up making the active roster, Minnesota could always decide to place him on their practice squad. However, by doing so they would be giving the other 31 NFL teams the ability to sign the young receiver to a contract.

Would a team like the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears scoop up Böhringer off of the Vikings practice squad just to spite their NFC North division rival?

Some would say placing him on the practice squad is too much of a risk. But Minnesota should not keep him on their active roster instead of someone else just because they possess the fear of losing him to another team.

Right?

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