Minnesota Vikings training camp: Day 5 stock report

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Stefon Diggs flashed throughout practice, getting open on short and intermediate routes with ease and keeping the chains moving in both the red zone and full field sessions of 11 on 11 play. Additionally, Diggs showed impressive quickness and shiftiness with the ball in his hand, turning several short passes into what would’ve been bigger gains by juking out the first defender. The highlight of the day came during red zone work when Diggs beat Captain Munnerlyn by a step on a corner route to the back of the end zone and plucked a perfectly placed pass from Teddy Bridgewater out of the air with one hand just before stepping out of bounds. The rapport between Diggs and Bridgewater is clear, and with the way Diggs played today we should expect a lot of explosive plays from the duo this season.

Trae Waynes reportedly struggled a bit during the first four practices, but today he appeared much improved. With a stiflingly physical style of play, Waynes locked down Laquon Treadwell for most of the day. Perhaps the best example came on a fade to Treadwell in the red zone that Waynes prevented by pressing at the line and blanketing him throughout the route, forcing the incompletion. Wayne’s later followed that up with a great pass deflection by breaking on a hitch to Treadwell and wrestling the ball out before the catch could be made. Waynes’ one misstep of the day came when he tripped on a crossing defender in coverage and allowed Adam Thielen to get wide open deep, although Thielen was unable to corral the pass. Overall, Waynes had a very strong day that he should look to build on.

Adam Thielen had a very productive day as well, making a strong case to supplant Jarius Wright as the starting slot receiver this season. Thielen received the bulk of the first team snaps in the slot both in the morning walkthrough and the afternoon practice, and he definitely made the most of it. Thielen ran effective routes, getting consistent separation at all levels of the field, and made a number of plays throughout the day. Thielen’s most notable play came when he torched Xavier Rhodes on a nine route and caught a deep ball from Teddy for what would have been a touchdown. Thielen later almost replicated the feat, getting open against Trae Waynes, who tripped in coverage, and fully extending in an unsuccessful attempt to catch an overthrown ball from Shaun Hill. Thielen has improved every year, and could finally emerge as a reliable offensive weapon this year.

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