Week 17 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adam Thielen had a decent bounceback performance in Week 16 by finding the end zone, hitting double-digit fantasy points for the third time in his five games back off the IR. His ceiling leaves a lot to be desired, but with breakout RB Chuba Hubbard hitting the IR so close to kickoff, we could see some more Bryce Young dropbacks, which cushions Thielen's already nice target numbers. Consider him a solid-floor back-end WR2.
Week 16 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Even though his high-end production fell off last week, Adam Thielen still secured five of his seven targets for 51 yards, bringing his target total up to 28 over these past three weeks. The Cardinals defense provides a difficult hurdle in Week 16 (7th in WR aFPA), but the veteran looks like he will have plenty of volume to produce a WR3 result.
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Adam Thielen is officially back on fantasy radars after a fantastic 17-201-1 stat line on 21 targets over these last two weeks. Even better, his 14.7 points last week came against an Eagles defense that ranked 1st in WR aFPA coming into the matchup. This week, he gets a Cowboys defense that ranks 20th, and as Bryce Young's go-to option in a passing attack that looks far better than it did before Thielen's hamstring injury, the vet should be considered a solid WR3.
Week 14 @ Philadelphia Eagles
Adam Thielen is officially back on fantasy radars after a fantastic 8-99-1 stat line on 10 targets against the Buccaneers last week. Things *literally* couldn't be any different this week, as the Eagles rank 1st in WR aFPA, compared to Tampa Bay, who now sit at 32nd. Thielen should be able to provide a decent floor for managers in Week 14, but the ceiling is not very enticing. Consider him a WR4.
Week 17 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Adam Thielen caught six of his eight targets for 94 yards last week in a close loss to the Packers. It was good to see Thielen back in double-digit half-PPR points after struggling for much of the second half of this season. Still, Thielen has at least six targets in all but two games this year and if the Carolina offense can end the season on a high note - building off a near-comeback last week - then Thielen could benefit.
This week, Thielen has a great matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville ranks 20th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers, and they were just destroyed by Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay passing attack. It’s hard to trust the Carolina passing game, but with an upward trend and a steady stream of targets, Thielen can safely be considered a WR3 option in most leagues, especially PPR formats.
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers
Adam Thielen caught four of his seven targets for 43 yards last week against the Falcons. The Panthers earned their second win of the season, but the offense still struggled heavily. Thielen hasn’t produced well over the second half of the season, but he’s still getting targeted. He has 20 targets over his last three games combined and continues to be the primary option for Bryce Young.
This week, Thielen faces a Green Bay defense that ranks 19th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers and just got trounced by the Buccaneers. The Panthers are tough to buy into in fantasy leagues, but Thielen at least gets enough targets to warrant fantasy consideration in deeper leagues. We have him ranked as a WR3 option this week. Here’s hoping he can find his way to the end zone for a couple solid fantasy performances before Carolina puts this dreadful season behind them.
Week 15 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Adam Thielen had a better game last week against the Saints, catching five of his seven targets for 74 yards. While it wasn’t a great outing for the veteran, it was good to see him back near double-digit fantasy points after a pair of terrible fantasy games in the preceding weeks. Thielen is still clearly the main target in Carolina, and remains one of the few bright spots in the Panther offense.
This week, Thielen faces a Falcons defense that ranks 11th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. This looks like it’s going to be a miserable, low-scoring affair, and with the way the Panthers have been playing offensively, it’s hard to trust Thielen as more than a WR3 option.
Week 14 at New Orleans Saints
Adam Thielen has really struggled the last couple of games. After just two yards in Week 12, he had a mere 25 on three catches last week in what should’ve been a favorable matchup against the Buccaneers. Thielen has cooled off after scoring four touchdowns in his first six games of the season. He hasn’t found the end zone in the last six games and he only has two double-digit half-PPR performances in that span.
This week, Thielen faces a New Orleans defense that ranks fifth in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. With a tough matchup and the emergence of Jonathan Mingo, be wary with the veteran Thielen, who we have ranked as a WR3 option this week.
Week 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adam Thielen as a legit WR1 option feels like forever ago as he just finished his fifth scoreless game and was held to season lows with one reception and just two yards in a loss to the Titans last week. Thielen should rebound, but it’s certainly concerning to see him trending downward right as the fantasy playoffs are lurking around the corner.
This week, Thielen faces a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 29th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. With a good matchup and changes in the coaching staff, there’s reason for optimism for a bounceback performance for the veteran. Start Thielen as a WR2 option this week.
Week 12 at Tennessee Titans
Adam Thielen hasn’t found the end zone the past four games after scoring four times in his first six outings, but he’s still getting heavy targets. In a dreadful loss to the Cowboys last week, Thielen caught eight of his 11 targets for 74 yards. He seems to be the only wide receiver in Carolina who can consistently get open, and he’s been rewarded with double-digit targets in six of his 10 games this year.
This week, Thielen has a great matchup against a struggling Titans defense that ranks 28th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Thielen hasn’t been putting up WR1 numbers as of late, but he gets enough targets to be considered a quality WR2 option, especially in PPR formats. Start him.
