Moritz Boehringer NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Vikings Rookie

POSITIVES

Each draft season NFL scouts are sent on quests across the country to find football talent. Sometimes that talent comes to them and asks for a tryout. In the case of German wide receiver Moritz Boehringer, that's exactly what happened. But the workout was so good—4.43 speed, a 39" vertical jump and 17 bench reps—that Boehringer has caused everyone to go back and see what's there.

Boehringer played in the German National Football league and dominated the competition—he had 59 catches for 1,232 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. With his height, weight and athletic numbers, you can't risk but take a chance on his skill set being developed by NFL coaching as kind of a project.

An easy, fluid athlete, Boehringer has the tools to be a vertical threat in the NFL given his straight-line ability and leaping skills. His film shows natural hands with the awareness to locate and adjust to the ball on the go, which further points to a deep ball specialist role. Those routes are also the first ones most receivers get comfortable with, so it allows Boehringer to see the field sooner than later.

NEGATIVES

This past season all we heard about was Jarryd Hayne and his attempt to play in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. Payne failed to make an impact, and there will be scouts who see Boehringer as more of a sideshow than a talent.

The level of competition in Germany was at times laughable. The defenses he's facing look like Division III talent on the American level and Boehringer is able to run through and past defenders with ease. On the field, he's raw as the day is long and will have to be stripped down mechanically and taught the position. Being the fastest guy on the field allowed him to make plays in his country, but Boehringer must learn how to be a wide receiver with technique and timing in his steps and cuts.

Boehringer is a true project, but if a team is convinced of his athleticism, you spend a late pick on him and get him through camp to see where he is. The practice squad may be a reality in the beginning, but Boehringer's speed and size are hard to bet against.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 227 lbs.

40 Time: 4.43s

3-Cone: 6.65s

Short Shuttle: 4.10s

PRO COMPARISON: Jeff Janis, Green Bay Packers
FINAL GRADE: 5.50/9.00 (Round 6—Backup Caliber)

Video Credit: GFL-TV