Who would have thought at the beginning of November that the Carolina Panthers would be one of the most fascinating stories in the league? After a disastrous 1-7 start, this organization seemed to be on the precipice of another full-scale rebuild. Then, Canales Ball (feel free to steal that one) started to gain some traction, and this group had some newfound life.
Carolina is 2-2 across its last four outings, with both losses coming on game-winning drives by talented teams. Former first-overall pick Bryce Young has started to make positive strides, looking far more accurate on throws underneath and more comfortable in the pocket. The dormant offense has looked really impressive, averaging over 23 points per contest during their solid stretch.
With the sample size of a competent attack growing, the effectiveness is starting to feel sustainable. This club wants to establish the run and batter teams on the ground, but the passing game has made the pass-catchers fantasy relevant. How much can you buy into the squad’s top threat, Adam Thielen, helping your roster with the rapidly approaching playoff season?
The Carolina offensive resurgence
Getting a trusted veteran receiver with immense production upside this late in the fantasy calendar is too enticing to ignore. Thielen is a former All-Pro who is a master route-runner with a reliable pair of hands. He has lost a step physically, but his game isn’t reliant upon athleticism. His technique is still flawless and consistently creates separation, even against younger and more physical corners.
Thielen has only suited up five times this year and twice during the recent turnaround. His numbers are far from gaudy, but you can see the evident potential. Last week, in his return from a nagging hamstring injury, Thielen looked solid against a tough Kansas City defense. His latest performance was a masterpiece, snagging eight of his ten targets for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Adam Thielen is a MUST add
At 34 years old, it’s conceivable to believe Thielen needed to shake off the rust before truly reclaiming his WR1 role. He gets a tough upcoming draw against Philadelphia, but the last four games of the campaign are all favorable matchups for Thielen. The reception volume should stay fairly consistent as the opportunity for similar stellar showings only increases.
Thielen is a must-add on waivers and should be immediately considered as a FLEX play. At worst, he can provide elite depth in case of injury to a starter.
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