Adam Thielen produced a few weeks of starter-caliber production for your fantasy football team.
However, despite having a great opportunity to become the Carolina Panthers‘ top wide receiver last season, Thielen struggled with consistency.
Turn the page to 2024, and now the Panthers have players like Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and a second-year Jonathan Mingo to limit his chances within the offense. We also have Jonathon Brooks and Ja’Tavion Sanders to help Bryce Young, yet limit the targets thrown to Thielen in 2024.
Let’s break down Thielen’s fantasy outlook this season and help you navigate your approach to this aging veteran.
Adam Thielen’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 Season
Thielen saw an immense amount of action last year by recording 137 targets, the 13th-best in the NFL for 2023. TruMedia ranked Thielen sixth overall in receptions per target at 75.2%, 24th in yards after catch, and ninth overall in receptions with 103.
The issue lies with the numbers inside the numbers.
Let’s take YAC as the first example. Although he finished 28th overall on the season, Thielen ranked 56th overall at 3.3 yards after catch per reception. His 7.72 air yards per target average was also abysmal, resulting in Thielen landing as the 68th-best wide receiver on the season.
Young found him often and fast last season due to the lack of an offensive line and happy feet in the pocket. However, this year, the Panthers brought Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers to help elevate Young’s game. Johnson is a route-running technician who will play the same route style that exclusively belonged to Thielen in 2023.
At this age, Thielen cannot consistently demonstrate deep-threat ability. He will have to battle two youthful WRs aiming to become the guy for the Panthers.
New Panthers head coach Dave Canales will look to establish the run and simplify the offense for his second-year franchise quarterback. For our fantasy teams, the writing on the wall does not look good for Thielen’s production in 2024.
Is Thielen a Good Fantasy Pick?
Thielen’s fantasy outlook may be the bleakest in the entire NFL. Fading him is one of the easiest and most consistently agreed-upon takes for the 2024 fantasy season.
The Panthers face the easiest strength of schedule for wide receivers in 2024, and Thielen should become a waiver wire addition, as his average draft position (ADP) sits at No. 164 overall.
The issue with drafting Thielen is that you ignore the upside draft strategy we recommend yearly. We even have to deal with a later season bye week, as the Panthers’ bye comes in Week 11.
Even if Thielen is on your team and producing, you will lose him for a crucial week leading into the fantasy playoffs. There are too many red flags for this aging veteran. Fade him and find someone else for your team.