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Top Ten Viking Receivers


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This list shows the embarrassment of riches that we've had as fans. It also should highlight how great Adrian Peterson was during his career. During his tenure, there was a single 1000 yard season by a Vikings receiver (Sindey Rice in 2009). For a team that has had as many all timers as the Vikings have had, the period from 2003-2016 was an offensive wasteland.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Something I was just thinking about...

Adam Thielen turns 29 before the start of the season. He's 12th in franchise history in receptions at 293 and a season like last year would put him not far outside the top five.

Now consider the fact that on his 26th birthday he had 20 career receptions to his name as an undrafted player out of a Division II school. The career arc he's had is nothing short of incredible.

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1 minute ago, Klomp said:

Something I was just thinking about...

Adam Thielen turns 29 before the start of the season. He's 12th in franchise history in receptions at 293 and a season like last year would put him not far outside the top five.

Now consider the fact that on his 26th birthday he had 20 career receptions to his name as an undrafted player out of a Division II school. The career arc he's had is nothing short of incredible.

That being said, 4 is too high for him at the moment (I know you're projecting somewhat).

Consider this...Thielen has played 18 career games fewer than Rashad, essentially one season. Rashad has the statistical edge on Thielen by 107 catches, 1,592 yards and 15 touchdowns. The reception and yardage totals are certainly attainable for Thielen over 18 games, but 15 touchdowns would be a stretch for someone who's never had more than nine in a season and only has 19 total in his career. Also considering the pass-happy nature of the league today, and it's easier in many ways to accumulate stats in bulk.

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40 minutes ago, Klomp said:

Consider this...Thielen has played 18 career games fewer than Rashad, essentially one season. Rashad has the statistical edge on Thielen by 107 catches, 1,592 yards and 15 touchdowns.

That’s comparing Thielen’s entire career with Rashad’s time with the Vikings.

But Rashad was 27 already and entering his 5th season when he was traded to Minnesota. He played 2 years with the Cards and one with the Bills before missing his 4th season because of a knee injury. He was selected by the Seahawks in the 1976 expansion draft, then traded to the Vikings. 

Rashad was a starting WR from day one for the Vikings. Over 6 full seasons (his 7th cut short by injury, after which he retired), Rashad averaged a little over 60 receptions per year, for nearly 900 yards per year, and put up 34 TDs (nearly 6 per year). The first two of those season were 14 games, and the last four were 16 games long.

Thielen meanwhile hardly played as a WR until 2016, his 4th season (rookie year on the practice squad, then 2014-15 mostly as a special teamer). Even in 2016, he only started 10 games (despite being healthy enough to play all 16). 

Over those 3 years as a starter, Thielen has averaged 90 receptions per year, nearly 1200 yards per season, and put up 18 TDs (6 per year). 

It’s fair to discount passing and receiving stats to some extent when making a list like this, given the changes in the game over the years. But the total production is only close because you’re looking at 6+ years of Rashad as a starting WR, vs 3 for Thielen. If Thielen stays healthy for another few years, he’ll far surpass those numbers.

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45 minutes ago, Krauser said:

That’s comparing Thielen’s entire career with Rashad’s time with the Vikings.

But Rashad was 27 already and entering his 5th season when he was traded to Minnesota. He played 2 years with the Cards and one with the Bills before missing his 4th season because of a knee injury. He was selected by the Seahawks in the 1976 expansion draft, then traded to the Vikings. 

Rashad was a starting WR from day one for the Vikings. Over 6 full seasons (his 7th cut short by injury, after which he retired), Rashad averaged a little over 60 receptions per year, for nearly 900 yards per year, and put up 34 TDs (nearly 6 per year). The first two of those season were 14 games, and the last four were 16 games long.

Thielen meanwhile hardly played as a WR until 2016, his 4th season (rookie year on the practice squad, then 2014-15 mostly as a special teamer). Even in 2016, he only started 10 games (despite being healthy enough to play all 16). 

Over those 3 years as a starter, Thielen has averaged 90 receptions per year, nearly 1200 yards per season, and put up 18 TDs (6 per year). 

It’s fair to discount passing and receiving stats to some extent when making a list like this, given the changes in the game over the years. But the total production is only close because you’re looking at 6+ years of Rashad as a starting WR, vs 3 for Thielen. If Thielen stays healthy for another few years, he’ll far surpass those numbers.

The more you know, thanks for the history lesson!

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On 7/17/2019 at 3:41 AM, SteelKing728 said:

The sad thing is that he was more productive for us than Laquan Treadwell.

I thought if Percy Harvin wasn't so messed up he had a shot at this list. I was a big fan of Sidney Rice too but he was a 1 year wonder.

He was only more productive because instead of having Diggs, Thielen, and Wright (for 2 years) ahead of him,  Williamson had the playmaking Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson, and Bobby Wade to compete with. 

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5 hours ago, byuvike88 said:

He was only more productive because instead of having Diggs, Thielen, and Wright (for 2 years) ahead of him,  Williamson had the playmaking Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson, and Bobby Wade to compete with. 

Exactly. If Treadwell were the 1st or 2nd option, his stats would look a lot better. Still not good enough for what you’d expect from a 1st round pick, but better based on sheer volume. 

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