CBS Sports Says WR for Vikings in Latest Mock Draft
The 2023 Minnesota Vikings must improve in a few depth chart areas, including linebacker, interior defensive line, cornerback, etc.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could also upgrade the wide receiver spot, particularly WR2, as the incumbent Adam Thielen may or may not be back with the team in 2023.
CBS Sports Says WR for Vikings in Latest Mock Draft
And if Adofo-Mensah does fancy an affordable and prolific rookie wideout, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports knows just the guy — Jordan Addison from USC.
Edwards authored a mock draft Friday, and evidently, the Vikings get deeper in the WR room. He explained the selection, “Jordan Addison, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson form a dynamic trio in Minnesota for now, but the Vikings are set up with sustainability at wide receiver for many years to come.”
For the purposes of Edwards’ mock, Addison was the third wide receiver off the board to Minnesota at No. 23, with Quentin Johnson of TCU landing with the New England Patriots and Zay Flowers of Boston College joining the Los Angeles Chargers.
Addison is known for speed and will probably run a 4.4 forty-yard dash at the upcoming NFL Combine. At 6’0″ and 175 pounds, he’s certainly not known for size, but general managers care less and less about “big wide receivers” in the NFL.
Pro Football Network’s James Fragoza describes Addison in this way, “Insane catches are littered throughout his highlight reel, and you can see at least one in almost every game. He demonstrated elite concentration near the sideline and in the end zone. He exhibited rare body control midair and when adjusting to passes. And the former Panther goes up with vigor and attacks the ball.”
And The Draft Network broke down his shortcomings, “It is worth acknowledging that concentration drops popped up on his film throughout his Pittsburgh career (it was reduced at USC) and Addison suffered an ankle injury in 2022 that cost him about a month of play. He later decided to sit out the Cotton Bowl due to a ‘setback’ after returning to close the regular season.”
Addison transferred from Pittsburgh to USC in 2022 and recorded 875 receiving yards on 59 receptions for 8 touchdowns — in 11 games.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid ranked Addison as the top WR in the 2023 draft class last month.
The Vikings are also expected to explore trading out of the 23rd pick to stockpile assets later in Round 1 and throughout Round 2.
Addison just turned 21 two weeks ago.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.