Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Thielen is the Jordy Nelson of the Minnesota Vikings

 Adam Thielen will almost certainly be inducted into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor when his playing days are over. He has had a very good career in Minnesota after clawing his way onto the team back in 2014 as an undrafted rookie from Division III Minnesota State. The Minnesota native is two-time Pro Bowler and a former All-Pro. In Vikings history, Thielen ranks fourth in targets (669), fifth in receptions (464), seventh in receiving yards (5,966), and fifth in touchdown receptions (49). He has the NFL record for most consecutive 100-yard games (8) and the most consecutive games to start a season with 100+ receiving yards (8). Heading into his age-32 season, Thielen is coming off a season in which he only had one drop while catching at least 10 touchdowns for the second time in his career. 

Thielen probably won't make the Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. He would have to go absolutely nuts on the backhalf of his career to achieve that. But he has had a better career than most at his position. He is a fan-favorite and a beloved Minnesota athlete. He is a homegrown player. Jordy Nelson was the same way for the Green Bay Packers.

Nelson doesn't have the portfolio for the Pro Football Hall of Fame either, but he is one of the most beloved and legendary receivers In the history of the Green Bay Packers. Nelson, who should've been selected to two Pro Bowls at the very least, was named a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2014. He led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2016 and was awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year that season after suffering an ACL tear in 2015. The former Kansas State product had four 1,000-yard seasons in his career. He is also a Super Bowl champion. Nelson ranks third in Packers history in targets (836), fourth in receptions (550), sixth in receiving yards (7,848), and third in touchdown receptions (69). He will soon be in the Green Bay Packers Ring of Honor too. 

Jordy Nelson and Adam Thielen are very similar. They both aren't necessarily Hall of Fame receivers. But they are both blue-collar receivers that were and are franchise legends. These kinds of players don't come around very often.      

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