Vikings Reportedly “Seriously Exploring” Trade Options for Veteran Receivers

[CharVike]

Yeah, the 4th is a little steep but it just reflects the immediate need at WR. On top of that they know what they're getting. The staff has experience with him and they know the fans love him. Hopefully the 4th also reflects how much of his contract the Panthers are eating.

Concur, I think it means the Panthers are paying part of the salary (as I read multiple reports say this had been a little bit of a sticking point between the teams).

It wouldn't surprise me if ownership put their thumb on the scales a little. He is insanely popular with the fan base.

Beyond that, he's about as close to plug and play for us as there is. Maybe KJ being the other. They mostly know what KOC wants to do, they know the organization, and they know their WR1 running mate. It was going to be hard to bring in a WR at this point, and say... we need you start week 1, go. AT can actually do that in this situation I think.

That's a great point. My first thought about trading for AT was this is a joke. The more I thought a vet like him is almost perfect for the situation we find ourselves. He's not an every down player at this point but he can step in for a few weeks and be that. The real advantage is the leadership he can bring to the O especially early. He's a coach on the field. Taking everything into account a 4th is actually a good deal.

[VikingsVictorious]

Panthers aren't paying one red cent of Thielen's salary. On the other hand we're not giving a 4th round pick. We're giving a 4th for 5th round swap and a 5th for 7th round swap. Factor those two together the 5ths cancel except the Vikings pick will probably be a lot lower than the Panthers.

[psjordan]

Panthers aren't paying one red cent of Thielen's salary. On the other hand we're not giving a 4th round pick. We're giving a 4th for 5th round swap and a 5th for 7th round swap. Factor those two together the 5ths cancel except the Vikings pick will probably be a lot lower than the Panthers.

Factoring in the "future value", essentially the deal is:

To vikings:
Thielen
2026 7th (conditional)
2027 5th (in todays value this equates to 2026 6th)

To panthers:
2026 5th
2027 4th (in todays value this equates to 2026 5th)

Looking at our recent draft history, I have no qualms about the picks being traded. We shuffled down a few rounds to get a guy that at least had one year under this offense, can probably step right in, provide good depth for the rest of the year and is an absolute fan favorite.

Obviously we figured we can afford his salary, so I am more than cool with the deal. Maybe Theilen renegotiates to add another year and make it friendlier for us.

[Cliff]

Obviously we figured we can afford his salary, so I am more than cool with the deal. Maybe Theilen renegotiates to add another year and make it friendlier for us.

Supposedly he is going to rework his contract:

[VikingLord]

Yeah, the 4th is a little steep but it just reflects the immediate need at WR. On top of that they know what they're getting. The staff has experience with him and they know the fans love him. Hopefully the 4th also reflects how much of his contract the Panthers are eating.

I'd say they overpaid. He is 35 years old in a position that depends (mostly) on speed. I think a sixth rather than fourth would have been more reasonable.

Was Thielen's game ever really based on speed though? I mean, even when he was younger he was more a tactician and ran excellent routes than he was out-muscling or out-running DBs.

Compensation is tough. He is 35 and once Addison returns his snaps will be more limited for sure. The question is how much is a #3 wide receiver worth both in terms of contract and picks. I'd say since the picks are effectively round swaps where it is likely one team (the Vikings) are trading relatively low-round picks with a team like the Panthers who should have relatively high-round picks, and the picks are in the sequential mid-rounds (e.g. low 4th for high 5th) the draft compensation really isn't all that bad. If the deal has a downside for the Vikings it is Thielen's salary, which is relatively high for a #3 WR on a team with two established star receivers. Cliff just posted that Thielen is renegotiating his contract. I doubt he'll take much of a total pay cut but he'll probably defer enough of his contract into future years to make it more likely he'll be able to remain a Viking until he retires.

On net I think this is a good deal for everyone involved. McCarthy is going to get a consummate pro as his 3rd WR to add to the 2 pro WRs he already has. He'll be able to count on Thielen understanding the play call and being where he is supposed to be. Thielen is a reliable receiver that defenses will have to account for even if he's not a threat to take the top off the coverage. Thielen gets to come back to a team that wants him, a fanbase that adores him, and a situation that should allow him to compete for the playoffs and maybe more. It's a win-win.

[VikingsVictorious]

I am aware that I am likely in the minority, I think we need someone regardless of Addison. The room falls off very fast after WR1 and WR2 imho. Guessing Hock gets used quite a bit this year.

Thielen might be available once the Carolina season takes a downward turn, Have a feeling they are going to want more than he's worth right now.

Personally, I'd be calling about Tyler Boyd. And DJ Chark did just get released... don't know a ton about his fit though.

I think Nailor is a solid #3. His 2024 stats are super similar to Addison's just with less targets. Assumung he was able to continue the same success with double the targets he would actually have better numbers than Addison.

Addison had a much higher yards per reception, but completions per target % favored Nailor and he had the ridiculously high TD%. I don't think Nailor can maintain that TD% at all. If he does I will become more of a believer. I'm pretty sure Thielen will beat him out for the #3. That's a very nice quartet of WRs for JJ to throw to.

[VikingsVictorious]

I wonder what the Vikings would be willing to give up to add a WR who might not see the field much once Addison returns after 3 games. Sure, there might be an argument for adding quality depth to the WR group, but if JJ and Addison stay healthy and with the tight ends the Vikings have, having a starting-caliber 3rd WR seems like a luxury.

Maybe someone will become available after rosters get cut down that could be had for a reasonable contract and that wouldn't require giving up a draft pick. I'd be OK with that, but I think Kwesi and KOC should try to work around Addison's absence. Maybe going with more multiple TE sets could help bridge the gap.

I agree with your point with one exception. As much as I believe in McCarthy I think it's imperative that he gets off to a good start to maintain confidence. JJ has worked out with Thielen both of the last two off seasons and Thielen has experience in the KOC system. Thielen should be able to hit the ground running and give the Vikings a better chance at a hot start.

[VikingsVictorious]

I'd say they overpaid. He is 35 years old in a position that depends (mostly) on speed. I think a sixth rather than fourth would have been more reasonable.

Was Thielen's game ever really based on speed though? I mean, even when he was younger he was more a tactician and ran excellent routes than he was out-muscling or out-running DBs.

Compensation is tough. He is 35 and once Addison returns his snaps will be more limited for sure. The question is how much is a #3 wide receiver worth both in terms of contract and picks. I'd say since the picks are effectively round swaps where it is likely one team (the Vikings) are trading relatively low-round picks with a team like the Panthers who should have relatively high-round picks, and the picks are in the sequential mid-rounds (e.g. low 4th for high 5th) the draft compensation really isn't all that bad. If the deal has a downside for the Vikings it is Thielen's salary, which is relatively high for a #3 WR on a team with two established star receivers. Cliff just posted that Thielen is renegotiating his contract. I doubt he'll take much of a total pay cut but he'll probably defer enough of his contract into future years to make it more likely he'll be able to remain a Viking until he retires.

On net I think this is a good deal for everyone involved. McCarthy is going to get a consummate pro as his 3rd WR to add to the 2 pro WRs he already has. He'll be able to count on Thielen understanding the play call and being where he is supposed to be. Thielen is a reliable receiver that defenses will have to account for even if he's not a threat to take the top off the coverage. Thielen gets to come back to a team that wants him, a fanbase that adores him, and a situation that should allow him to compete for the playoffs and maybe more. It's a win-win.

A lot of people seem to consider Thielen slow and at this point in his career that is probably true, but at his size he was actually very fast. So IMO his game was based on speed and he also is very good at contested catches out-muscling the defender. However, with his excellent route running he tended to get good separation and he still does.

[Cliff]

I think Nailor is a solid #3. His 2024 stats are super similar to Addison's just with less targets. Assumung he was able to continue the same success with double the targets he would actually have better numbers than Addison.

Addison had a much higher yards per reception, but completions per target % favored Nailor and he had the ridiculously high TD%. I don't think Nailor can maintain that TD% at all. If he does I will become more of a believer. I'm pretty sure Thielen will beat him out for the #3. That's a very nice quartet of WRs for JJ to throw to.

Last season Nailor had 14.8 average Addison had 13.9.

I agree he'll probably end up 4th on the depth chart now but, still, he's a solid #3 if he was still there.

[CharVike]

Thielen took a pay cut with the Vikings that cut his base salary by $2 million and removed $4 million in potential incentives, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
I think once we are back at full strength AT and Nailor can both contribute at the 3 spot. They offer a different skill set. Nailor can smoke a team from the slot. The play last year when he took off and Addison looped under him and took a quick pass to the house from across the field was a great play. Teams need to respect Nailor's speed and that can open things up. He certainly is not the route runner, ball tracker/fighter or have great hands like AT. AT can also help in the red zone when things get stacked and cluttered more so than Nailor.

[VikingsVictorious]

Addison had a much higher yards per reception, but completions per target % favored Nailor and he had the ridiculously high TD%. I don't think Nailor can maintain that TD% at all. If he does I will become more of a believer. I'm pretty sure Thielen will beat him out for the #3. That's a very nice quartet of WRs for JJ to throw to.

Last season Nailor had 14.8 average Addison had 13.9.

I agree he'll probably end up 4th on the depth chart now but, still, he's a solid #3 if he was still there.

You're right. I was looking at his 42 targets rather than his 28 receptions. I still believe Addison is 10X the receiver Nailor is.