The Viking Age
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Comparing Vikings WR Adam Thielen to NFL’s elite wide receivers

By Dustin Baker

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 29: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up on the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 29: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up on the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) Michael Thomas /

Adam Thielen v. Michael Thomas

  • Yards Per Target: Thielen = 8.9 | Thomas = 9.1
  • TD Percentage to Target: Thielen = 5.5 | Thomas = 4.78
  • Catch Percentage: Thielen = 68.2 | Thomas = 78.6
  • First Down Percentage to Target: Thielen = 44.0 | Thomas = 49.1
  • 25+ Yard Gain Percentage to Target: Thielen = 7.9 | Thomas = 5.4

Here is a dirty little not-so-secret revelation: Michael Thomas definitively does not stretch the field. In all other facets of the game, Thomas is tremendous and can be considered the best in the NFL. Whether that is attributed to his splendid abilities, Drew Brees, or a blend of both–his production is constant and transcendental.

Adam Thielen does, however, get in the endzone more often when evaluated per target. He also hauls in deep-passes a lot more than Thomas, and that comparison is not even close. The Saints are well-known as a consistent and robust offense, so it is rather odd that they either do not–or can not–throw deep on a more routine basis.

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On the whole, Michael Thomas is a more productive wideout than Adam Thielen not by leaps and bounds.

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