Minnesota Vikings: Rookies Quiet Through Offseason Thus Far

Already halfway through off-season activities for the Minnesota Vikings, the newly incorporated 2016 Vikings draft class has yet to make a splash heading into training camp.

Two camps done for the vets, three for the rookies, and the majority of Vikings press becoming enthralled with.. cue the drum-roll… David Morgan?

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Yes everyone. Not Laquon Treadwell, the first round wide receiver out of Ole’ Miss or the second round pick out of Clemson, Mackensie Alexander. Not even the worldly renowned success story of the first German player ever drafted in the NFL, Moritz Böhringer was enough to steal the headlines up in the land of 10,000 lakes.

The first scholar to be drafted out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, David Morgan, has been the more mentioned name throughout this 2016 Minnesota Vikings draft class. Reaping the praises from strong football minds such as Paul Allen and Mike Wobschall.

Not for a lack of effort in trying from these rookies, just neither really stood above the others through June.

Laquon Treadwell ran into an early case of drops, along with Moritz Böhringer as made mention via Chris Tomasson from twincities.com. Both have struggled to pick up the complexity of this Norv Turner offense and have found themselves working their way out of the bottom of the depth chart.

Mind you the Minnesota Vikings will give Laquon Treadwell every opportunity to remove himself from the 2nd string thus far in camp, to receiving significant playing time with the first team. He’ll just need to progress in pads, and show his physical nature throughout preseason.

For someone whom was quite vocal coming into Vikings camp, not a peep was heard from Mackensie Alexander beyond rookie minicamp. It was rumored the corner out of Clemson may had suffered an injury during camp, but the news itself never really gained any traction towards the truth.

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Offensive tackle out of Western Michigan, Willie Beavers, continues to work and learn under the tutelage of Alex Boone and other vets on the offensive line. The big men in the trenches don’t receive much notoriety until the pads start clanging during training camp, shorts and helmets do not do these guys any justice in garnering attention.

Kentrell Brothers, Stephen Weatherly, and Jayron Kearse may need to find a role on special teams before earning roles at their perspective positions. That’s just kind of the dynamic of being a later round pick, but if these guys can make themselves stand out, Mike Zimmer isn’t shy about giving opportunities to players who earn it.

In recent years the Minnesota Vikings have had rookies like Stefon Diggs, Eric Kendricks, Jerick McKinnon, Shamar Stephen, and Danielle Hunter stand out and make instant impacts in their rookie seasons.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Vikings’ fans expect more out of their first round pick in Treadwell than innyears past. Teddy Bridgewater needs a true number one wide receiver to step up, with the Vikings desperately yearning for one since 2009.

Minnesota Vikings: 5 Make or Break Players for 2016-17

It’s a daunting task to match the production from the previous two drafts from the Minnesota Vikings, finding value in many of their selections. Depth at each position easily plays a factor in their effectiveness, it’s near a point for the first time in many years that a Minnesota Vikings team can afford to possibly red shirt their rookies. A blessing, and a curse, depending on the outcome of the season.