Produces Better Stats Than Adam Thielen
It was a down year for Adam Thielen as he was limited significantly by injuries. He was sidelined for six of the Vikings’ regular-season matchups. As a result, Stefon Diggs was relied upon as the provisional top target and he thrived doing so.
Even when Thielen was on the field in 2019, his impact was reduced from what many would come to expect from him. It started with the fact that he averaged just 41.8 receiving yards per game, which was down by more than half his output from is career-year in 2018.
For reference, the 2018 season was Thielen’s best campaign as he set new career-highs in targets (153), receptions (113), receiving yards (1,373), and touchdowns (nine). He would have totaled greater figures in 2019 had he appeared in all 16 games and not been limited by injuries.
Even if both Thielen and Diggs each appear in most of their respective team’s regular-season games next season, Diggs will end his 2020 campaign with better statistical production than Thielen. That will include receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.