Minnesota Vikings player power rankings: Week 1 edition

7. Adam Thielen

It’s no doubt that quarterbacks love Adam Thielen. His excellent route running and sure hands can give passers the confidence to throw him the ball in even the tightest of windows and be sure he will do everything he can do to haul it in.

Last year, Thielen became the first Vikings pass catcher to surpass 1,000 yards since the 2009 season and he did so while being targeted an impressive 142 times, catching 91 of those opportunities

A new offensive coordinator and quarterback could have an impact on his numbers and it will be a challenge for him to repeat his 1,000-yard achievement, but the tools and the talent are definitely there to make it happen.

6. Eric Kendricks

Is there anything Kendricks can’t do? In Zimmer’s defense, he has played the run, rushed the passer, dropped back into coverage, spied the quarterback, and had so many other roles on the field.

He has truly become a jack of all trades, showcasing a solid tackling technique and a great nose for the football. He has back-to-back seasons with over 100 tackles and that trend should continue for the 2018 season.

Consistency is key for Kendricks. While he doesn’t make a lot of flashy plays, he has become one of the most important parts of the defense, and one that may rise up these rankings because of it.

5. Stefon Diggs

Diggs may not have caught as many passes as Adam Thielen or accumulated as many yards, but he is an exciting player who can pick up yards after the catch and make big plays when his number is called.

During the preseason, Diggs seemed to have a real rapport with quarterback Kirk Cousins. If that trend continues, Diggs should be able to outperform Thielen in terms of production, especially since Diggs seems to have a better nose for the end zone.

The combination of a nice new contract and the hangover from the Minneapolis Miracle give him a little more elevation on the power rankings…at least for now.