Vikings Receivers

Entering the 2016 NFL Draft receiver was considered the area of greatest need for the Minnesota Vikings. It wasn't so much that their current receivers were horrible. It had much more to do with the fact that they just didn't generate much offense passing the football. There were a few reasons for that. Improving the receiver group was simply one of those reasons. In particular, they needed a receiver that was bigger, more physical, and could go up and get contested passes. A receiver that was a threat in the red zone due to his size and strength. The Vikings selected a receiver that fits that description in the first round. Mississippi's Laquon Treadwell. He's expected to become an impact pass catcher immediately. They found another big receiver in the sixth round. They went international in drafting Moritz Boehringer. He played for the Swabisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League.

Here's the Vikings current receiver group after last week's draft.

Stefon Diggs
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Charles Johnson
Cordarrelle Patterson
Adam Thielen
Moritz Boehringer
Isaac Fruechte
Terrelle Sinkfield
Marken Michel

This is an interesting group. It might not be a widely recognized group but it's a diverse group. Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, and rookie Laquon Treadwell are probably the only three that are assured of a spot on the roster. It's probably no real stretch to say that Diggs and Treadwell will be the starters to open the season. With an average age of 21 they are a very young duo loaded with potential. Wright hasn't posted big numbers in his four years in the league but he routinely makes plays. Most are of the big, move-the-chain variety but a few are of the explosive variety. He's a dependable playmaker. Charles Johnson and Cordarrelle Patterson each had a couple of months of scintillating play in their first year with the Vikings. Johnson had his great moments at the end of the 2014 season. Patterson was simply brilliant at the end of his 2013 rookie season. Injuries and the emergence of Diggs derailed what was supposed to be Johnson's breakout season last season. Patterson has been entirely absent from the offense ever since that rookie season. From all indications that absence is due to his less than stellar grasp of the finer points of the receiver position. The one thing that Patterson has going for him is that he's the most dangerous kick returner in the league. The problem with that is that the kick return is gradually being eliminated from the game. Johnson and Patterson each enters this season as talented question marks. Adam Thielen has risen from underrated unknown to productive NFL football player. He's special teams dynamo and makes contributions on offense. Moritz Boehringer is the wildcard of the group. He was an unknown to the NFL only a few of months ago. The only thing that NFL teams had on him were some YouTube highlights of his play with Swabisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League and his spectacular Pro Day about a month ago. The numbers that he posted that day, including a 4.4 40 and 39" vertical, would have been among the best receiver performances at the Scouting Combine. And he's 6'4" and 227 lbs. It was a ridiculous performance that gave him an NFL future. He's obviously a raw football player but he has the size, speed, and explosiveness that can't be taught. Unless he's an utter failure in the face of NFL competition the Vikings almost have to keep him on the roster. Even if he's too raw to play right away he's too physically talented and his potential is too great that the Vikings can't expose him to the rest of the league by placing him on the practice squad. They will probably have to keep him on the roster even if he's not quite ready to contribute. No matter what happens it will be fun watching him progress. Isaac Fruechte spent last season on the practice squad. Every training camp is a fight for him. Terrelle Sinkfield is super fast but the road to making the roster is a long one. Marken Michel was added as an undrafted free agent after the draft.

The Vikings kept six receivers last year and it's a good bet that they keep six this year. Here's a way too early stab at who those six will be.

Stefon Diggs
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Cordarrelle Patterson
Adam Thielen
Moritz Boehringer

The biggest hope is that Cordarrelle Patterson finally makes an impact on offense. The Vikings didn't pick up his 5th-year option so this could be his last season in Minnesota if he doesn't make an impact on offense. Charles Johnson has the talent to be on this roster. He should be on this roster. If he isn't on this roster in September it's probably because of the contributions that Patterson and Adam Thielen make on special teams. The contributions that Thielen makes on special teams might be enough to consider him a roster lock.

No matter how the Vikings receiver group shakes out it will be improved. The addition of Treadwell alone does that.