Fantasy Pros: Thielen Projected to See 'Massive Dip' in Production

Carolina's new veteran receiver isn't expected to make a huge impact in 2023, according to the fantasy experts.

At some point, every player in the NFL begins to see a decline in production. Well, everyone except Tom Brady that is. An expected decline from wide receiver Adam Thielen is partially why the Minnesota Vikings released the 32-year-old earlier this offseason.

According to the folks at FantasyPros, they agree with Minnesota and expect Thielen's numbers to drop considerably. 

"Adam Thielen continued to produce [in 2022] despite a noticeable decline in skill. Thielen scored six touchdowns last season with the Minnesota Vikings and caught 70 passes on 107 targets for 716 yards. The veteran wideout will not have the best receiver in the NFL (Justin Jefferson) opposite him in Carolina, so look for those numbers to take a massive dip."

Another man's trash is another man's treasure. Minnesota figured Thielen's best days are now behind him but the Panthers don't believe that for one second. They still see a ton of value in the veteran receiver and believe he's going to be a big part of this team taking that next step toward winning, hence why they signed him to a three-year deal.

"When you watch his tape, he's so much about technique and separation and route running that it doesn't bother me as much," Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said back in the spring. "If he loses a step, it's not as big of factor for a player with his style of play. If he was just a straight-line burner, yeah, 32 that makes a difference. A guy that's so savvy like that and knows how to separate, it wasn't as big of factor."

Is Thielen going to be an 80-90 catch receiver that pushes for 1,000 yards in a season? No. But he's certainly an upgrade from what the Panthers had in that room a year ago and will be Bryce Young's best friend in the slot.

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