Minnesota Vikings: 10 easy predictions for 2019 to set expectations

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings reaches out to catch the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Adam Thielen will continue to impress and get even better

By now everyone knows Adam Thielen’s story going from a DIII nobody to one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Thielen earned his way into the Vikings’ starting lineup in 2016 after playing impressively on special teams for two seasons. He led the team with 967 receiving yards that year on 69 receptions. His first career touchdown came on a punt he blocked and returned 30 yards against the Carolina Panthers.

He has improved with every season making more catches and gaining more yards. His nine touchdowns tied him with Stefon Diggs for the team lead and as pointed out on the previous slide makes this duo one of the best in the NFL.

Thielen and Diggs are the only teammates in the top 10 for contested catch percentage according to Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus.

While obscurity could have allowed Thielen’s success early in his career, back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and consecutive Pro Bowls quickly erase that theory. Teams know who Thielen is and are game planning for him with little success.

Recently signed to a four-year, $64 million contract, don’t expect Thielen to take it easy and start coasting. Hard work and persistence got him to this point and will keep pushing him forward.

Another 1,000-yard season and double-digit touchdown receptions are a given, especially if anyone doubts he can do it.

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