The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver tied an NFL record in 2018 by notching 100 yards receiving in each of his first eight games of the year. His strong campaign capped off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Since his breakout season two years ago, Thielen has become one of the NFL's top receiving threats and one of its best underdog stories. He rose from rookie tryout player to elite talent. Thielen quickly emerged as the favorite target of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Their chemistry helped the Vikings achieve top-10 figures in total offense and passing yards early on and allowed the offense to compensate for the run game it struggled to establish. Toward the end of the year, teams finally began to treat Thielen like a No. 1 receiver by dedicating two defenders to him, which hindered his production down the stretch. Still, by season's end, Thielen finished tied for fourth in the league in receptions (113); he was ninth in receiving yards (1,373); and he finished tied for 10th in receiving touchdowns (nine) with his teammate Stefon Diggs and New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas.