Adam Thielen

Week 2 at Indianapolis

Thielen’s 6-110-2 receiving line was pretty much business as usual for the now fully healthy WR1. Those who have owned him in the past typically expect big numbers from him and delivered Week 1 on the team-high eight targets. As it should go all season long, Thielen will continue to be a target hog in his Week 2 matchup against the Colts, keeping him squarely in the WR1 picture.

Fantasy Upside

Through the first six weeks of the 2019 season, Adam Thielen was the WR8 in fantasy football as he had five touchdowns and almost 400 receiving yards. However, a Week 7 hamstring injury cost Thielen to miss five games and derailed what appeared to be another promising season. Prior to last season, Thielen finished as the WR9 in 2017 and the WR7 in 2018, his first season with QB Kirk Cousins when he amassed career-highs in targets (153), receptions ( 113), yards(1,373) and touchdowns(9). With Minnesota trading away Thielen’s primary competition for targets in WR Stefon Diggs, Thielen is poised to be yet another target hog on a team that does not have much behind their primary WR.

Fantasy Downside

As seemingly the lone receiver for the Vikings, Thielen should command most targets for the team, however the amount of those targets can be exceedingly small. Minnesota’s heavy run scheme meant the team only passed the ball 444 times in contrast to their top-five, 476 rushing attempts. Even though there should be some positive regression in passing attempts, the 30-year-old Thielen will have to be mighty efficient with volume he gets to make a difference on fantasy rosters.

2020 Bottom Line

Prior to last season, Thielen was consistently one of the best receivers in the NFL and was a weekly WR1 in all leagues. Barring another injury, Thielen should once again be one of the league’s top producers at the position a lack of target competition coupled with a consolidated target distribution in a run-first team give Thielen serious potential for yet another 100-reception season. We have Thielen ranked 14th amongst wide receivers and his current ADP in 12-team leagues has him going in the middle of the 4th round. A true primary WR with the targets all to himself in Minnesota, Thielen has tremendous value as he has legitimate low-end WR1 potential in 2020.

Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers

Adam Thielen didn't do much in his return, finishing 3-27 off three targets. He was limited, playing on just 51% of Minnesota's offensive snaps. He should see more playing time this week as he's not even listed on the injury report anymore. Minnesota could also lean more on the passing attack this week with its first two running backs likely out with injury. Thielen carries some risk based on his performance last week, but we like him as a solid WR2 play against the Packers.