On Aug. 27, the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a trade with the Carolina Panthers that brought former Viking Adam Thielen back to Minnesota for two Day 3 draft picks.
Minnesota made the move after they had been searching the trade market for a WR following the three-game suspension of Jordan Addison. The trade begs the question: How will Thielen fit in?
Before the move for Thielen, Minnesota was thin on depth behind Justin Jefferson, leading to them searching the trade market for a WR. When it became apparent that Thielen was available on the market, the Vikings pushed hard to bring the hometown kid back where he belongs.
Adam Thielen‘s Role
With Jordan Addison suspended for the first three weeks, Thielen will be sprung directly into the WR2 role for the Vikings. Although Minnesota will most likely lean on the run game and defense without Addison, Thielen will be thrust into an important spot to start the season.
When adding Thielen to an already high-powered offense, Minnesota will not ask him for the same production from him that they needed in the past. Instead, the Vikings will ask Thielen mostly to be a big insurance blanket on third downs and in the red zone. In 2024, the Vikings ranked just 19th in red zone touchdown percentage. Thielen should provide a big boost to this number.
Since 2020, Thielen has scored more touchdowns than Cowboys star WR Ceedee Lamb; that’s exactly the type of production that Minnesota is looking for from Thielen this season. Having another reliable option to throw to in the endzone is big for the Vikings offense. Thielen will help take pressure off Justin Jefferson and even Jordan Addison when he returns.
Predicting Thielen’s Statline
While the Vikings may not expect the same production from Thielen that they saw back in 2018, he will still be a key cog in an offense with high expectations. Thielen should produce many timely plays and be a reliable option for J.J. McCarthy.
PREDICTION: 52 REC, 607 Yards, 8 TDS
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