Goessling "Thielen Bombshell"

[Montana Tom]

I think some of yall were in love with Lucky Jackson or something.  Our WR room is bare for the first 3 games and nothing guarentees we don't have an injury pop up.  While an overpay we got a guy who catches everything thrown in his general direction who knows the offense.  Adam was the trade we needed to make.

Now lets go figure something out at CB because we're still in trouble there.

With or without Speedy Nalor as WR3, I have far more faith in Thielen's hands than anyone on the roster not named Jefferson or Addison.
There are so many factors that played into this, having this stability to wrap around JJM, Kwesi did NOT overpay.

[medaille]

Feels like a big overpay unless more info comes out. Carolina’s offense was much improved the back half of the year last year, I think they might surprise people with their competence this season. To automatically say they’ll stink in the 2027 draft is premium cope. Two years is forever in the NFL.

I’m glad Adam is back because I’ve been a big Speedy detractor. That’s a big positional upgrade IMO, even at Thielen’s old age.

It’s just a shame we paid so much. KJ Osborne got cut yesterday, along with many other capable players. But the team fell in love with Thielen and overpaid. Hopefully this is one of those deals where we wade through some muck but wind up smelling like roses.

How good do you think they’ll be?  Do you think they’ll break into the top half of teams?

Their over/under is 6.5 wins and they’re expected to pick around 7th next year.

[AGRforever]

The picks in 27 may not matter. Kwesi may not be here then!

KOC and KAM are winning a championship in short order. They’ll be here awhile.

[pattersaur]

How good do you think they’ll be?  Do you think they’ll break into the top half of teams?

Their over/under is 6.5 wins and they’re expected to pick around 7th next year.

I don’t think they’re winning the Super Bowl anytime soon but Bryce Young looked markedly better at the end of last season. Maybe that was a Ponderian mirage but I kind of think it sticks.

They won 2 games two years ago and 5 last year. This year it’s the coach’s Year 2 and I could see 7-8 wins in a mediocre division (New Orleans might be BAD bad). Maybe the following year they win a few more. Or maybe they stink!! Who knows. But projecting 2026 or especially 2027 draft slots for teams is silly so far out, that’s my point.

[Montana Tom]

This was a post from another fan board. I think he does a good job explaining the unique set of circumstances why Thielen was the best option here:
===
First things first, congrats to Adam Thielen, the Vikings, and JJ McCarthy on Thielen coming home. I don't give a darn what Adam's wife said or did. We can't be held accountable for what our wives do.

Thielen is a unique fit for our offense. Familiar (understatement) with Minnesota and has worked with McCarthy in the offseason. The chemistry is already there. As well, Thielen can play any of the WR positions. He, Jefferson, and Addison are all great in or out of the slot. The other team can't predict which one will go where. Need a strong NB for Thielen or a quick one for Addison? Or a superman clone for Jefferson?

Aged or not, Thielen will be a high-level #2 WR at the least playing WR3 for us. Meanwhile, Addison is a #1 WR for our #2 and Jefferson is BEYOND-ONE playing WR1. This going to stress defenses and un-stress McCarthy and KOC and Phillips and McCown.

We basically gave up two picks to get two picks. As we know, pick spot does not matter to us. UDFAs are better than top draft picks in the world of Kwesi. As in, they turn out better.

It isn't just a good Thielen. It is more than a Thielen! It is a great move.

[purplefaithful]

This was a post from another fan board.  I think he does a good job explaining the unique set of circumstances why Thielen was the best option here:
===
First things first, congrats to Adam Thielen, the Vikings, and JJ McCarthy on Thielen coming home. I don't give a darn what Adam's wife said or did. We can't be held accountable for what our wives do.

Thielen is a unique fit for our offense. Familiar (understatement) with Minnesota and has worked with McCarthy in the offseason. The chemistry is already there. As well, Thielen can play any of the WR positions. He, Jefferson, and Addison are all great in or out of the slot. The other team can't predict which one will go where. Need a strong NB for Thielen or a quick one for Addison? Or a superman clone for Jefferson?

Aged or not, Thielen will be a high-level #2 WR at the least playing WR3 for us. Meanwhile, Addison is a #1 WR for our #2 and Jefferson is BEYOND-ONE playing WR1. This going to stress defenses and un-stress McCarthy and KOC and Phillips and McCown.

We basically gave up two picks to get two picks. As we know, pick spot does not matter to us. UDFAs are better than top draft picks in the world of Kwesi. As in, they turn out better.

It isn't just a good Thielen. It is more than a Thielen! It is a great move.

^^^

Lol, thats very good Montana! 

[badgervike]

For all the arguments of draft picks given up, saving draft choices for Kwesi is like cutting coupons for products you'll never buy.

[RS_Express]

In terms of draft position, this trade costs us about 15-20 draft slots in 2026.  Carolina's pick is likely going to be top 7-8 in the 5th and the Vikings should pick in the bottom 3rd of the 4th.  It doesn't say what the conditional part of the 2027 comp is but a 6th and a 7th round pick are basically crapshoots either way.  Same number of picks and dropping 15 or 20 draft slots to get Thielen seems like a win to me.  He'll certainly solidify the WR room immediately.  Now go find us a CB.

The comp is a 5 in 2026 to get a 7th, the 4/5 swap is in 27, and if Theilen plays too much, we don't get the 5.  Also you're forgetting the comp picks at the ends of rounds 5 and 6 in 2026, and the 4th round comps in 2027.  Plus the crappy division Carolina plays in, they could easily be drafting past 15 in '26.  Most likely we've given up over 50 draft slots in '26 and we get nothing back for the '27 4th.  Now we're already in the hole on 27 draft capital.

[greediron]

The comp is a 5 in 2026 to get a 7th, the 4/5 swap is in 27, and if Theilen plays too much, we don't get the 5.  Also you're forgetting the comp picks at the ends of rounds 5 and 6 in 2026, and the 4th round comps in 2027.  Plus the crappy division Carolina plays in, they could easily be drafting past 15 in '26.  Most likely we've given up over 50 draft slots in '26 and we get nothing back for the '27 4th.  Now we're already in the hole on 27 draft capital.

Nowhere does it talk about comp picks, and just the 7th is conditional.  Turns into a 6th if AT doesn't play 10 games IIRC

• The Panthers will receive a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 fourth-rounder from the Vikings.
  
  
• They'll give the Vikings Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder, and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
  

[badgervike]

The comp is a 5 in 2026 to get a 7th, the 4/5 swap is in 27, and if Theilen plays too much, we don't get the 5.  Also you're forgetting the comp picks at the ends of rounds 5 and 6 in 2026, and the 4th round comps in 2027.  Plus the crappy division Carolina plays in, they could easily be drafting past 15 in '26.  Most likely we've given up over 50 draft slots in '26 and we get nothing back for the '27 4th.  Now we're already in the hole on 27 draft capital.

We're still expecting 11 draft picks next year with compensatory picks for Darnold, Jones and Cam Robinson

First Round Pick
Second Round Pick
Third Round Pick
Third Round Pick (Projected Comp for Sam Darnold)
Fourth Round Pick (Projected Comp for Daniel Jones)
Fifth Round Pick
Fifth Round Pick (Projected Comp for Cam Robinson)
Sixth Round Pick (via Indianapolis Colts)
Seventh Round Pick
Seventh Round Pick (via Houston Texans)
Seventh Round Pick (via Carolina Panthers)