Since coming into the league in 2014, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen's stats have improved each season. In 2018, Thielen finished with 113 receptions for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns, but ESPN thinks this year there will be a bit of regression.
In 2019, ESPN is predicting Thielen will finish with 90 receptions for 1,135 yards and six touchdowns. Those are still really strong numbers and nothing to be disappointed about, but it is a drop in production.
One reason for the drop of production could be because of Stefon Diggs' receiving more targets, but ESPN also thinks that Diggs' production is going to go down too.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer made it clear at the end of last season and all offseason that the team was going to run the ball more, which could take away production from Thielen and Diggs.
ESPN has high expectations for Dalvin Cook this season, predicting he will finish with 1,152 yards rushing and five touchdowns. In the passing game, they also see Cook as a threat finishing with 55 catches out of the backfield.
Most importantly for Thielen and the rest of the squad, the one thing that can't happen is a total team regression in terms of winning. Last season, they finished with an 8-7-1 record and with as much talent as the team has, that is something that can't happen again.
Two years ago, they made the NFC Championship game and the goals are big again this year. If they want to reach those goals, they can't have too much regression from Thielen and the rest of the offense.
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