Player Outlook
Is Adam Thielen the best receiver to draft on the Vikings? Out of nowhere, Thielen led Vikings wideouts in receiving yards and touchdown catches last year despite averaging 5.8 targets per game. But much of that is because of a 12-catch, 202-yard, two-score game against the Packers, the likes of which we're not likely to see moving forward. And naturally, if you take that game away then Thielen's 2016 stats look far more pedestrian. There's nothing wrong with buying into Thielen as a good, polished receiver -- the Vikings did exactly that when they gave him a rich contract extension this offseason. He caught 75 percent of his targets and does have an element of deep speed in his game. But don't expect a big breakout season where Thielen finishes as a Top 24 receiver like he was four Fantasy points shy of doing in 2016. Thielen belongs on Fantasy benches and is worth a Round 9 or 10 pick.
Player News
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Thielen is partaking in Friday's practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Thielen, who missed time during OTAs with a left knee injury, reportedly was seen limping slightly late in Thursday's practice. However, his prompt return should quell any concerns about his health.
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Thielen didn't participate in Wednesday's OTA due to a left knee injury, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Thielen spent Wednesday's practice on the sideline with wrapping on his left knee, but the injury doesn't appear to be anything serious at this point. The Vikings will proceed cautiously with their No. 2 receiver, and if he's unable to return Thursday, his next opportunity would be Monday, when the team returns for its final set of OTAs.
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The Vikings and Thielen agreed to terms of a three-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Born and bred in Minnesota, Thielen developed a nice rapport with Sam Bradford in 2016, tallying three 100-yard outings en route to 69 catches (on 92 targets) for 967 yards and five touchdowns. Now back in the fold, he joins Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph to form a steady base for the Vikings' passing attack. What's missing is a deep threat, but Thielen gave the offense a fair alternative with his team-leading 16 catches of 20-plus yards last season.
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The Vikings have placed a second-round tender on Adam Thielen, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports. Thielen emerged as a favorite target of Sam Bradford as last season wore on, finishing with a team-leading 967 yards. After Wednesday's move, the Vikings will have the right to match any offer Thielen may receive in free agency, or get a second-round selection as compensation if they allow him to bolt to another organization. Assuming he signs the tender -- or works out a long-term deal with his home-state team -- he'll bolster a receiving corps that's composed of Stefon Diggs (hip) and Kyle Rudolph.
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Thielen had just one reception for seven yards on his only target in Sunday's win over Chicago. Thielen's season ended with a dud, but it doesn't erase a breakout campaign that could make him the team's No. 1 receiver next season. He began the season buried on the depth chart and seen as little more than a special teams star, but he worked his way into the starting lineup and his role grew nearly every week. Thielen had 69 receptions for 967 yards and five touchdowns while playing all 16 games. He's improved each of his three seasons in the NFL and has shown both good breakaway speed and outstanding route-running ability.
Recent Tweets
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2:58 pm ET / @christomassonChris Tomasson
Notebook. #Vikings could be down 2 o-lineman on Friday plus more notes on Blair Walsh Adam Thielen Teddy book, etc. https://t.co/5hT0GomXwU
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2:50 pm ET / @VikingsMinnesota Vikings
.@athielen19 is looking forward to the opportunity to get better against Seattle's secondary. 📰:… https://t.co/yvsxIMcdhu
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8:29 pm ET / @AccessVikingsAccess Vikings
Here's what Laquon Treadwell has learned from watching Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen: https://t.co/Mod6KxmINv https://t.co/fvhZ2ssWs0
Completed Games
| WK | OPP | TAR | RECPT | REYD | REAVG | RETD | FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | @TEN | 5 | 4 | 54 | 13.50 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | GB | 5 | 4 | 41 | 10.25 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | @CAR | 4 | 3 | 29 | 9.67 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | NYG | 3 | 2 | 21 | 10.50 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | HOU | 8 | 7 | 127 | 18.14 | 1 | 18 |
| 6 | BYE | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7 | @PHI | 5 | 2 | 52 | 26.00 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | @CHI | 5 | 3 | 40 | 13.33 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | DET | 6 | 4 | 68 | 17.00 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | @WAS | 4 | 3 | 21 | 7.00 | 1 | 9 |
| 11 | ARI | 5 | 5 | 65 | 13.00 | 1 | 12 |
| 12 | @DET | 11 | 8 | 53 | 6.62 | 0 | 5 |
| 13 | DAL | 9 | 7 | 86 | 12.29 | 0 | 8 |
| 14 | @JAC | 5 | 4 | 101 | 25.25 | 0 | 10 |
| 15 | IND | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | @GB | 15 | 12 | 202 | 16.83 | 2 | 32 |
| 17 | CHI | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7.00 | 0 | 0 |
| PROJECTION | 82 | 64 | 737 | 11.52 | 4 | 91 | |
| * indicates player did not play that week | |||||||
Scheduled Games
| WK | DATE | OPP | OPP RANK | OPP FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 09/11 | New Orleans Saints | 29 | 24.75 |
| 2 | 09/17 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | 6 | 19.32 |
| 3 | 09/24 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 20 | 22.88 |
| 4 | 10/01 | Detroit Lions | 22 | 22.88 |
| 5 | 10/10 | @Chicago Bears | 14 | 21.38 |
| 6 | 10/15 | Green Bay Packers | 33 | 29.11 |
| 7 | 10/22 | Baltimore Ravens | 21 | 22.88 |
| 8 | 10/29 | @Cleveland Browns | 23 | 23.50 |
| 9 | BYE | - | - | - |
| 10 | 11/12 | @Washington Redskins | 12 | 21.25 |
| 11 | 11/19 | Los Angeles Rams | 32 | 25.25 |
| 12 | 11/23 | @Detroit Lions | 22 | 22.88 |
| 13 | 12/03 | @Atlanta Falcons | 26 | 24.05 |
| 14 | 12/10 | @Carolina Panthers | 24 | 23.88 |
| 15 | 12/17 | Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 17.50 |
| 16 | 12/24 | @Green Bay Packers | 33 | 29.11 |
| 17 | 12/31 | Chicago Bears | 14 | 21.38 |
Team Trends
Career Stats
| Season | Tar | Recpt | ReYd | ReTD | ReFD | ReAvg | FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 92 | 69 | 967 | 5 | 44 | 14.01 | 127 |
| 2015 | 18 | 12 | 144 | 0 | 5 | 12.00 | 22 |
| 2014 | 14 | 8 | 137 | 1 | 7 | 17.12 | 19 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| 3 Year Avg | 41 | 30 | 416 | 2 | 19 | 13.87 | 56 |
| Career | 170 | 89 | 1248 | 6 | 56 | 14.02 |