Hidden Gem: Adam Thielen
After a strong offseason and training camp, in which he rose up the depth chart to supplant Jarius Wright as the Vikings’ number three receiver, Adam Thielen put together a very solid first game.
Adam Thielen‘s stat line of four catches for 54 yards on five targets doesn’t exactly jump off the screen at first, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Thielen proved to be a very reliable option, adjusting to errant passes and moving the chains on a number of occasions. In particular, Thielen’s diving catch on 3rd and 15 in the second half stands out. Thielen made the most of his first opportunity in a featured offensive role, and should see continued usage throughout the year.
As always, Thielen also made key contributions on special teams, making two tackles to go along with his offensive production. A lot of what Thielen does isn’t flashy or highlight-worthy, but he always does his job. This game was a perfect example of that.
Next: Vikings game-by-game 2016 season preview
The Vikings take on the Packers next Sunday at 8:30 ET, follow The Viking Age all week for coverage and check back after the game to find out who will be named the next week’s most valuable players.