More targets to throw to
The Vikings have a lot more mouths to feed next season on offense and Adam Thielen may see fewer targets come his way because of it. Not only does Thielen, once again, have to compete with Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph for targets, but Minnesota also brought in many more weapons this offseason.
The Vikings used a second-round draft pick on former Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. this year and they also drafted a couple of late-round receivers with potential in Dillon Mitchell and Olabisi Johnson. In addition to these three draft picks, Minnesota also signed free-agent receiver Jordan Taylor this year and they and have a bunch of young pass catchers returning for 2019 in Chad Beebe, Brandon Zylstra, and Jeff Badet.
Some of these guys didn’t light the world on fire a season ago, but another year in camp will only make them better and help them reach their potential. The Vikings’ overall receiving corps is better than it was last year and at least one of these guys will emerge as a viable third target in the passing game.
Minnesota didn’t have a reliable third wide receiver last season and that led to more targets thrown in Thielen’s direction. With Smith now in the mix as well, there just may not be as many passes coming No. 19’s way as there was in 2018.