On the surface Thielen built on his 2017 breakout last year, cementing himself as one of the league's top receivers with a 153-113-1,373-9 line and 9.0 YPT (10th). But the shape of Thielen's efficiency and overall production changed under quarterback Kirk Cousins. Instead of making big plays, he simply caught a higher percentage of the passes thrown his way. Despite 11 extra targets, Thielen had two fewer catches of 40-plus yards and three fewer of 20-plus. And even though Thielen maintained his solid per-target efficiency, his YPC dropped from 14.0 in 2016-17 to 12.2 last year. In full PPR, perhaps this is for the best. Thielen's average depth of target was a modest 9.2 yards, helping him to a whopping 73.9 percent catch rate, the 17th-best mark of all time among 100-target wideouts. But the Vikings offense took a step back in 2018, and offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was replaced by Kevin Stefanski. While it's unclear how Stefanski might change the scheme - he's only 37 and previously the quarterbacks coach - the Vikings' dink-and-dunk style might have been dictated as much by a shaky offensive line as it was by coaching philosophy, i.e., we could see more big plays from Thielen if it holds up better in 2019. (To that end, the Vikings used their first draft pick on a center, their second on a tight end and their fourth on a guard. They also signed guard Josh Kline and get center/guard Pat Elflein back from injury.) At 6-2, 200, with 4.45 speed, Thielen is a good athlete who has excellent hands (only two drops all year) and strong route-running skills. He was also used a good deal in the red zone (21 targets, 6th), and inside the 10 (nine targets, T-8th), meaning his spike in TDs was no fluke. Stefon Diggs is once again Thielen's only major competition for targets, but tight end Kyle Rudolph does siphon away some red-zone looks.

Sam Bradford, Case Keenum - it didn't matter to Thielen, who built on his 2016 breakout and solidified himself as one of the league's better receivers. He averaged 9.0 YPT (7th among the league's 27 100-target receivers) en route to a 91-catch (8th), 1,276-yard (5th) season. The knock on him was the meager TD output - he had only four, all in a six-week span - but that's probably a fluke, as Thielen saw 16 red-zone looks and seven targets inside the 10, modest opportunity, but enough to score at least a couple more times than he did. At 6-2, 200, and running a 4.45 40, Thielen is tall and fast, has excellent hands, runs good routes and adjusts well to the ball in the air. He's also capable of stretching the field - his five catches of 40-plus yards were tied for seventh in the league. Heading into 2018, Thielen should reprise his role opposite Stefon Diggs, with tight end Kyle Rudolph (nine targets inside the 10, eight TDs) siphoning off some of the easy scores. But the departure of Keenum and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur could shake things up. New OC John DeFilippo comes from a dynamic offense in Philadelphia, and new quarterback Kirk Cousins will be Thielen's third - and probably his best - in three seasons. Change always creates some added risk, but there's reward here too.

A former undrafted free agent, Thielen broke out during his third season in the league with 967 yards on only 92 targets. That comes out to 10.5 YPT, good for second among the league's 50 90-target WR. Thielen had only two catches for 40 yards, but 16 of 20 or more, despite the modest workload. At 6-2, 200 and with 4.45 speed, Thielen is just a notch below the typical NFL No. 1 receiver athletically, but he has excellent hands, runs crisp routes and makes good adjustments to the ball in the air. Thielen signed a three-year deal in March and enters the year as one of the Vikings' top targets along with third-year WR Stefon Diggs and TE Kyle Rudolph, who sees most of the red-zone work. Last year's disappointing first-rounder, Laquon Treadwell, is also in the mix, but Thielen is the only option who can occasionally stretch the field.

The former Minnesota State standout made 12 catches on 18 targets for 144 yards in 16 games during the 2015 season, and also racked up 89 yards on four carries. Thielen will be buried on the Vikings' wide receiver depth chart again in 2016, so he figures to spend most of his time on special teams during what will be his third season in the league.

Thielen had eight receptions last season as he made the roster as a reserve receiver and special teams player. He'll try to reprise that role for the Vikings again in 2015. He was used at times as both a punt and kick returner. It's hard to see him having a large role on offense without multiple injuries in the receiving corps.

An undrafted free agent from Minnesota State who is a long shot to make the active roster.

Thielen will attempt to crack the roster as a reserve at receiver in training camp.