3 Minnesota Vikings who need to step up in 2020

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings talks to teammates in the huddle in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Adam Thielen

Typically Adam Thielen wouldn’t appear on this list because he’s a freak of nature, but now that Stefon Diggs is in Buffalo, it’s time for Thielen to step up and be the true WR1 in Minnesota.

Thielen has a cool story, going undrafted out of Minnesota State and eventually landing with the hometown Vikings. From there, a top-tier receiver was born, as Thielen went from undrafted nobody to WR2 in Minnesota.

The 2016-18 seasons were Thielen’s best, as he had 967 yards in 2016 and over 1,000 the next two years. Coming off that epic 2018 season, many expected Thielen to replicate those numbers once again, but injuries got to him and he only started 10 games for the Vikings.

With Diggs now elsewhere, staying healthy is going to be of utmost importance for Thielen. If the Vikings want to get to the playoffs again and have a legitimate shot at making it to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1977 season.

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