Minnesota Vikings: 5 Potential Hall of Fame candidates on current roster
By Luke Parrish
Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen certainly has an incredible story. By now, NFL fans are aware of his path to becoming a star wide receiver. He has recorded 3.616 yards and 18 touchdowns since hitting the field regularly in 2016. Thielen hauled in over 70 percent of his targets in that span as well.
He has been a reliable option on the outside with great hands and excellent route running all over the field. His Hall of Fame candidacy continues to grow with each remarkable season.
Why he will get in
If Thielen stays on his current trajectory, he will rack up a ton of yards when all is said and done. At roughly 1,300 yards per season, Thielen would hit 10,000 career yards in about five more full seasons.
Let’s say he averages seven touchdowns per season in that span. Thielen would sit at over 10,000 yards and 53 touchdowns by the time he is 33 years old. Add on a few more years at a diminishing rate and Thielen will have a solid case for Canton.
Why he will miss out
Unfortunately, Adam Thielen broke onto the scene a bit late. He wasn’t in the NFL until age 24 and wasn’t a full-time player until age 26. While he has been dominant as a starter, he doesn’t have the longevity to compete with other stars. His numbers may be consistent but they will not be as eye-popping as the current Hall of Fame wide receivers.
His story alone is not worthy of a bust. Realistically, Thielen would have to perform at a higher rate than the projected numbers above to even have a shot at the Hall of Fame.