Minnesota Vikings select Jordan Addison with the 23rd pick. Grade: A-
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Pairing Addison, the finest route chef in this class, with Justin Jefferson should give Kirk Cousins a big smile this offseason. Addison isn’t the most powerful receiver, but as Jefferson can, he’ll foil cornerbacks with his nuanced understanding of the position. You can throw a debit at this pick because Addison isn’t a cornerback, and the Vikings REALLY need cornerbacks, but you can’t really argue it in any other way.
Height: 5′ 11⅛” (26th percentile) Weight: 173 (3rd)
40-Yard Dash: 4.49 (56th)
10-Yard Split: 1.56 (46th)
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 34″ (32nd)
Broad Jump: 122″ (56th)
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Wingspan: 74½” (28th)
Arm Length: 30⅞” (20th)
Hand Size: 8¾” (9th)
Bio: Addison played quarterback, receiver, and defensive back at Tuscarora High School in Frederick, Maryland. The four-star recruit got an offer from Notre Dame, which was an early preference, but at defensive back, which was not. Eventually, Addison chose Pitt in favor of receivers coach Chris Beatty. After two seasons with the Panthers in which he racked up kudos ranging from Freshman All-American in 2020 to the Biletnikoff Award in 2021, Addison transferee to USC — a decision cemented by coaching changes, and quarterback Kenny Pickett’s graduation to the NFL.
In two seasons with the Panthers and one with the Trojans, Addison totaled 219 receptions on 310 targets for 3,130 yards and 29 touchdowns. In 2022, Addison had 422 snaps outside, 102 in the slot, nine in the backfield, and four inline.
Stat to Know: Addison’s Catchable Catch Rate of 95% (the percentage of receptions on catchable targets) tied him with North Carolina’s Josh Downs and Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt for tops among 2023 receiver prospects.
Strengths: Whether you’re watching him at Pitt or at USC, the first thing that stands out about Addison is how well he can manipulate defenders with routes — not just the routes in total, but how he’s able to bend the stems and attack opponents with them. He’ll shake prominent cornerbacks right out of their cleats. Utah’s Clark Phillips III is one of the best cornerbacks in this class, and Addison gave him no shot at all on this filthy vertical route.
Addison’s speed and suddenness make him a weapon in a straight line, sure, but it really shows up when he needs to take those short-area movements and make them explosive. If you’re handing him off through coverage, any mis-step could be fatal for your defense.
NFL teams that like to employ their receivers on sweeps are probably already dreaming of how well Addison has already proven to fit that particular paradigm.
Weaknesses: It’s good that Addison has all that speed and quickness, because he’s not going to win any physical battles. He’s not an effective blocker at his size, and bigger, more aggressive press cornerbacks could give him fits… if they can keep up with him.
Conclusion: Whether from the slot or outside, Addison has proven in multiple offenses and with two different major college programs that he can tie defenders in knots with his specific, highly-practiced skills. In an NFL that is becoming more and more about creating explosive plays on offense and preventing them on defense, Addison’s creative skills make him a highly valuable asset at the next level.
NFL Comparison: Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks took Lockett in the third round of the 2015 draft out of Kansas State, and he’s become one of the league’s most difficult receivers to consistently defend because he can beat you in so many different ways. Like Addison, the 5-foot-10, 182-pound Lockett isn’t going to win any strength battles, but you don’t buy a Ferrari to tow your boat. Put Addison on the field, and your NFL passing game immediately becomes more of a problem for every opponent.
