Week 8 vs. New Orleans Saints
Adam Thielen and 100-yard games go together like peanut better and jelly. The Vikings WR just keeps on having huge days as he caught 9-of-10 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown last week. He has 100+ yards every game, 10+ targets every game and a score in all but two games this season.
Thielen is already a must-start option, but owners should be happy with this favorable matchup against the Saints. New Orleans has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, so there's no reason for a down game from Thielen. Play him with confidence.
Week 7 at New York Jets
Adam Thielen just keeps on putting up ridiculous numbers. The Vikings WR continued his 100-yard streak to six games while hauling in 11-of-15 targets for 123 yards and a TD. You'd expect him to slow down at some point, but he just keeps producing. He's received at least 10 targets in every game this year, and as long as that keeps up, Thielen should be just fine.
He gets a decent matchup against the Jets this week, and there's no reason for alarm. If you have Thielen, there's no way you're benching him. He's a must-start WR1 option vs. New York in Week 7.
Week 6 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Adam Thielen is off to a historic start, finishing with at least 100 yards in his first five games. He's been ridiculously consistent, finishing with 10+ targets and 6+ receptions in every game. Oh, and he has a touchdown in 3-out-of-5 games.
Thielen gets a bit of a tough task this week against the Cardinals who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs. Arizona has given up just one score to receivers, which came last week. Despite the poor matchup, it's impossible to not like Thielen based on what he's done this year. He's a WR1 option this week.
Week 5 at Philadelphia Eagles
Adam Thielen continues to dominate secondaries in 2018. He's had at least 100 yards in every game this season. He's also seen at least 12 targets every game as well. He's getting yards, he's getting catches, he's scoring touchdowns. He's been valuable in every format of fantasy football.
We see no reason why he'll slow down this week vs. the Eagles. Philadelphia has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season and have allowed the third-most receptions to WRs as well. Thielen should be viewed as a strong WR1 choice.
Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams
Adam Thielen has started the season with three straight 100-yard games. And for those in PPR formats, he's had 12 and 14 receptions in the last two games, respectively. He's clearly benefited from Kirk Cousins at QB and should continue to be a force in 2018.
He does get a tough matchup this week against the Rams, however. The Rams have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season, really limiting their opponents. WRs have only caught a combined 21 passes against them through three games, the second-fewest in the league. Despite the poor matchup, we still like Thielen as a low-end WR1 choice.
Week 3 vs. Buffalo Bills
Adam Thielen was a monster last game, hauling in 12 of his 13 targets for 131 yards and a touchdown. He's been a star this season, leading Minnesota in targets, receptions and receiving yards.
We see no reason why he'd slow down this week as he gets a favorable matchup over the Bills. Buffalo's defense has been bad this season, although they've at least been able to contain wideouts somewhat. Still, Thielen has been dominating defenses for the last couple of years and he's only elevated his game with Kirk Cousins in town. We like him as a WR1 option.
Week 2 at Green Bay Packers
Adam Thielen was Kirk Cousins' go-to man in Week 1, receiving a team-high 12 targets. He turned those targets into six receptions for 102 yards. If Thielen continues to get this many looks from Cousins, then he may end up being the better choice between the two star Vikings wideouts.
This week Thielen travels to Green Bay to face a somewhat favorable Packers defense. He had one good game and one bad game a season ago against them, which is the sort of balance Thanos likes to see, but not necessarily fantasy owners. Nevertheless, we like Thielen as a strong WR2 option.
Week 1 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Adam Thielen had a career-year in 2017, catching 91 passes for 1,276 yards and 4 touchdowns. His season will be worth watching as we don't expect him to receive quite as many targets as he did a year ago, but with an improved passer at QB in Kirk Cousins, he may be able to become more efficient with his looks.
He should start off the season on a strong note against a favorable 49ers defense. San Francisco was among the league's worst defending the pass a year ago. Thielen should be viewed as a low-end WR1 option this week.
Fantasy Upside
Adam Thielen caught people’s attention in 2016 before fully breaking out in 2017 as fantasy’s ninth-highest scoring WR. His 143 targets, 91 receptions, and 1,276 yards led the Vikings, and he’ll look to continue to be a major threat with an upgraded QB in Kirk Cousins. He was also fairly consistent last year, averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game.
Fantasy Downside
Minnesota brought in Kendall Wright, who could eat into Thielen’s 143 targets, especially some of those middle-of-the-field routes. Dalvin Cook returns as well, and he has proven to be a valuable asset as a receiver. Thielen was also ineffective as a red zone threat last year, catching just five of his 17 targets, finishing with four total touchdowns.
2018 Bottom Line
If Thielen can improve in the red zone and get his touchdown numbers up, it would really make up for some of the lost production he may face as Minnesota’s offense adapts with a new playcaller. He’s proven to be a tough receiver to stop and could be even more dangerous with Cousins under center. You can expect Thielen to come off the board in about the third round of fantasy drafts.
NFC Conference Championship at Philadelphia Eagles
Adam Thielen missed practice earlier in the week, but soon returned so we wouldn't worry about that too much. Thielen finished with 74 yards on 6 catches (9 targets) last week as he continues to be effective while Stefon Diggs becomes the main attraction.
Thielen gets the best matchup of any receiver this week, and when you combine that with his talent, you get a top-three receiver. It's rare to get this late into the playoffs with a favorable matchup, so you should take advantage of it and ride with Thielen.
