Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the wide receivers
By Chris Schad
![Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) left a receiver Adam Thielen (19) played around as the offense was introduced at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday October 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, MN. ] The Minnesota Vikings hosted the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium JERRY HOLT • jerry.holt@startribune.com (Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1156781367-3142444b8bee5aa2d0c510a9ce57033a0d7b01a094652f498a630a0670893703.jpg "Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) left a receiver Adam Thielen (19) played around as the offense was introduced at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday October 14, 2018 in Minneapolis, MN. ] The Minnesota Vikings hosted the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium JERRY HOLT • jerry.holt@startribune.com (Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images)")
The Starters: Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen
Any conversation about the Vikings wide receivers has to start with Diggs and Thielen. Together, the duo put up 2,394 yards and 18 touchdowns to help out Kirk Cousins and in the first half of the season, few wide receivers were as dominant as the two stars.
Thielen’s 2018 season was a continuation of his 2017 breakout as he began the year with seven straight 100-yard receiving games, breaking Charlie Hennigan’s record from 1961. Despite the hot start, Thielen cooled off in part because defenses adapted to stop himself and Diggs, but also because of a leg injury that was downplayed, but might have had more of an effect than was let on. As a result, Thielen eclipsed 70 yards just three times over the final eight games.
Meanwhile, Diggs continued his momentum from a 2017 season that included his Minneapolis Miracle reception. The 25-year old put up career-highs in receptions (102), yardage (1,021) and touchdowns (9) in what was his true breakout season, but it wasn’t enough to keep the passing attack afloat at the end of the year.
Even though things went off the rails in November and December, the Vikings have to love the fact they have Diggs and Thielen on the same roster and locked up to long-term deals. While Minnesota will have plenty of questions at the bottom half of the depth chart, they at least know they’ll have two studs that Cousins can rely on in 2019 and beyond.