I kinda thought he could start hot this year, as vets often tend to, but I never thought he'd be near this level again.9 targets, 7/54/TD
14 targets, 11/145/TD
8 targets, 7/76
13 targets 11/107/TD
He is just raking the last 4 weeks and for an old man, totally overlooked by most on this message board.
100+/1,400+/10+TDs
He's an MVP nominee
Went in about the 8th-10th Rounds in most of my drafts, I never even raised an eyebrow towards wanting to draft him this year.
33 years old, can he keep this pace up?
I drafted him and cut him after his slow start week 1. Go figure.I kinda thought he could start hot this year, as vets often tend to, but I never thought he'd be near this level again.9 targets, 7/54/TD
14 targets, 11/145/TD
8 targets, 7/76
13 targets 11/107/TD
He is just raking the last 4 weeks and for an old man, totally overlooked by most on this message board.
100+/1,400+/10+TDs
He's an MVP nominee
Went in about the 8th-10th Rounds in most of my drafts, I never even raised an eyebrow towards wanting to draft him this year.
33 years old, can he keep this pace up?
I think its unlikely he keeps this pace up, but at the same time, like you said, he went in round 10 in many drafts, he's been a huge steal, even if he slows to more WR2 production. I got him in 1 draft, and sold after the Dalton game as part of a package for Josh Allen (so not regretting it) but he's looked great.
There is something to be said that maybe his demise was overstated simply because we were seeing him directly opposite Jefferson, so he looked like he'd lost more of a step than he had. He's kinda been like 2012 Reggie Wayne so far.
33 YO wide receivers fall off a cliff VERY fast. It was a smart move by the Vikes to let him go when, at the time, KJ Osborn looked pretty promising. Then Addison falls into their laps. Car was smart to take a chance on him. He's a solid security blanket for Young and, while a lot slower than he used to be, can still get some separation.It did seem that Thielen might be washed up last season as he just was not making the impact he used to in games and nothing had changed. Cousins had great chemistry with Thielen.
Then the Vikings traded for TJ Hockenson, and that move further suggested that Thielen wasnt good enough to take advantage of all the extra defensive attention Jefferson was getting, and Thielens contributions seemed to fade even more after the trade.
I know Thielen was dealing with some injuries the last 2 seasons that he played through when he could. Maybe that was part of it and he is fully healthy now. Im not sure.
He does seem to be rejuvinated though so far this season and it just makes me wonder why the Vikings gave up on him if he can still play this well?
I hadnt really thought about his age honestly, but yeah you are right 33-34 is where a drop in WR performance happens historically on average and then a much steeper drop at age 35.33 YO wide receivers fall off a cliff VERY fast. It was a smart move by the Vikes to let him go when, at the time, KJ Osborn looked pretty promising. Then Addison falls into their laps. Car was smart to take a chance on him. He's a solid security blanket for Young and, while a lot slower than he used to be, can still get some separation.It did seem that Thielen might be washed up last season as he just was not making the impact he used to in games and nothing had changed. Cousins had great chemistry with Thielen.
Then the Vikings traded for TJ Hockenson, and that move further suggested that Thielen wasnt good enough to take advantage of all the extra defensive attention Jefferson was getting, and Thielens contributions seemed to fade even more after the trade.
I know Thielen was dealing with some injuries the last 2 seasons that he played through when he could. Maybe that was part of it and he is fully healthy now. Im not sure.
He does seem to be rejuvinated though so far this season and it just makes me wonder why the Vikings gave up on him if he can still play this well?
Oh, absolutely. Dude did everything the Vikes asked of him and more. Glad he got a solid last contract from the Panthers.I hadnt really thought about his age honestly, but yeah you are right 33-34 is where a drop in WR performance happens historically on average and then a much steeper drop at age 35.33 YO wide receivers fall off a cliff VERY fast. It was a smart move by the Vikes to let him go when, at the time, KJ Osborn looked pretty promising. Then Addison falls into their laps. Car was smart to take a chance on him. He's a solid security blanket for Young and, while a lot slower than he used to be, can still get some separation.It did seem that Thielen might be washed up last season as he just was not making the impact he used to in games and nothing had changed. Cousins had great chemistry with Thielen.
Then the Vikings traded for TJ Hockenson, and that move further suggested that Thielen wasnt good enough to take advantage of all the extra defensive attention Jefferson was getting, and Thielens contributions seemed to fade even more after the trade.
I know Thielen was dealing with some injuries the last 2 seasons that he played through when he could. Maybe that was part of it and he is fully healthy now. Im not sure.
He does seem to be rejuvinated though so far this season and it just makes me wonder why the Vikings gave up on him if he can still play this well?
So the Vikings did let him go at the end of the WR plateau that happens at age 28-32.
Thielen just turned 33 in August.
I will always be a fan. Home state product who came out of nowhere as a try out player who just earned his way on the team through hard work. Exceeding any and all expectations.
Great person with a positive attitude.
Next Gen Stats
Adam Thielen caught 7 of 9 targets for 65 yards and a TD when aligned in the slot in Week 6 against the Dolphins.
Thielen leads the NFL in targets (41), receptions (34), yards (351) and TD receptions (4) from the slot this season.
#CARvsMIA | #KeepPounding
Another example of a player who plays outside but excels from their opportunities playing from the slot.Next Gen Stats
Adam Thielen caught 7 of 9 targets for 65 yards and a TD when aligned in the slot in Week 6 against the Dolphins.
Thielen leads the NFL in targets (41), receptions (34), yards (351) and TD receptions (4) from the slot this season.
#CARvsMIA | #KeepPounding
Me too. I wanted to get younger so it’s not all bad what with Rashid Shaheed stepping up and Zay Flowers being startable. There is a lot of depth at WR this year so I wouldn’t blame anyone from moving on from Thielen early on. Rookie QB too. I’m happy for the guy and always thought he was a good to great player.I drafted him and cut him after his slow start week 1. Go figure.I kinda thought he could start hot this year, as vets often tend to, but I never thought he'd be near this level again.9 targets, 7/54/TD
14 targets, 11/145/TD
8 targets, 7/76
13 targets 11/107/TD
He is just raking the last 4 weeks and for an old man, totally overlooked by most on this message board.
100+/1,400+/10+TDs
He's an MVP nominee
Went in about the 8th-10th Rounds in most of my drafts, I never even raised an eyebrow towards wanting to draft him this year.
33 years old, can he keep this pace up?
I think its unlikely he keeps this pace up, but at the same time, like you said, he went in round 10 in many drafts, he's been a huge steal, even if he slows to more WR2 production. I got him in 1 draft, and sold after the Dalton game as part of a package for Josh Allen (so not regretting it) but he's looked great.
There is something to be said that maybe his demise was overstated simply because we were seeing him directly opposite Jefferson, so he looked like he'd lost more of a step than he had. He's kinda been like 2012 Reggie Wayne so far.
Statistical regression happenedI couldn't watch the game, anybody see what happened?
@32BeatWriters
“Thielen got a step on his defender on an underneath route and plucked a Young pass cleanly with his hands before heading upfield. It wasn’t anything flashy or spectacular. But it was the kind of route and catch that Thielen ran time and again last season as Young’s most trusted receiver.
Thielen might not be counted on as much during his age-34 season, but he’ll be a big part of the offense.”