Calculating Adam Thielen's worth in free agency

Adam Thielen announced <a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html"> Adam Thielen Jersey</a> himself to the NFL in 2016 after a breakout campaign in which the Minnesota-Mankato graduate amassed 967 yards and five touchdowns on only 69 receptions.


Thielen, who was a bit-part wide receiver in the first three seasons of his career, enters the offseason as a restricted free agent, and he'll be in hot demand when he does so.


While the Vikings are expected to match what any prospective team throws in the direction of Thielen -- especially with the futures' of several other wide receivers up in the air -- they'll have to dish out the cash to do so.


The 26-year-old is <a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html</a> valued across the league, with ESPN even stating that the Philadelphia Eagles could be an intriguing option, but what he's worth in the free agent market may surprise you.


Despite only one season of top-flight production, Thielen is valued at a massive $6 million per season according to Spotrac.com, which would rank him 23rd in the NFL amongst wideouts.


Here's how Spotrac came to that valuation:


Comparable Players


Jarius Wright - 4 years, $14.8 million($3.7 million per season) - 25-years-old when signed


Rishard Matthews - 3 years, $15 million($5 million per season) - 26-years-old when signed


Mohamed Sanu - 5 years, $32.5 million($6.5 million per season) - 26-years-old when signed


Travis Benjamin - 4 years, $24 million($6 million per season) - 26-years-old when signed


Base Calculated Value


Adam Thielen - 4 years, $22,833,898 million($5,708,475 per season)


Adjusted Value


4 years, $24,390,980(6,097,745 per season)


As you can see, Thielen <a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html</a> impresses on multiple levels. He's shown a combination of size, speed and hands that make him one of the most intriguing options at wide receiver in free agency this season, and he'll get paid to reflect that.


Hopefully the Vikings are the ones to do it.




NFL Next Gen stats highlight Adam Thielen's Packers' perfromance
Adam Thielen h<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html"> Adam Thielen Authentic Jersey</a> ad arguably the best game of any offensive player for the Minnesota Vikings this season during Week 16's loss to the Green Bay Packers, and now you can track just how good he actually was.


Using the NFL's "Next Gen Stats" page, fans <a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html</a> can now track big time games from your favorite Vikings' players, and Thielen's dominant performance against the Packers stands out amongst the rest.


Via NextGenStats.NFL.Com:




(Photo: NFL.com)
The graph shows just how dynamic<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-adam-thielen-jersey-c-2_50.html</a>  Thielen is, with his effect being felt all over the field from short, intermediate and deep routes. A restricted free agent, there's no question that Thielen is in line for a payday following his breakout season.


He certainly deserves it.