Vikings Rookie Included in OROY Prediction
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings added 21 rookies in April — six from the 2023 NFL Draft and 15 from undrafted free agency.
These six played arrived from the draft:
- R1: Jordan Addison (WR, USC)
- R3: Mekhi Blackmon (CB, USC)
- R4: Jay Ward (S, LSU)
- R5: Jaquelin Roy (DT, LSU)
- R5: Jaren Hall (QB, BYU)
- R7: DeWayne McBride (RB, UAB)
Vikings Rookie Included in OROY Prediction
And these men will get a crack at a roster spot from undrafted free agency:
- Alan Ali (OL, TCU)
- Calvin Avery (DT, Illinois)
- Abraham Beauplan (ILB, Marshall)
- Andre Carter II (EDGE, Army)
- Jacky Chen (OL, Pace)
- C.J. Coldon (CB, Oklahoma)
- Wilson Huber (ILB, Cincinnati)
- Cephus Johnson (WR, SE Louisiana)
- Malik Knowles (WR, Kansas State)
- Ivan Pace, Jr. (ILB, Cincinnati)
- Jack Podlesny (K, Georgia)
- Ben Sims (TE, Baylor)
- Thayer Thomas (WR, N.C. State)
- NaJee Thompson (CB, Georgia Southern)
- Jaylin Williams (CB, Indiana)
Of those 21 players, one man has legitimate Offensive Rookie of the Year aspirations, and that’s Jordan Addison, the 1st-Rounder from USC.
The Vikings could’ve drafted defensively to start the event in April, showcasing the league’s second-to-worst defense in 2022 per yards allowed. But that’s not the path, according to Minnesota’s offense-first coaching staff, as Addison was the draft haul’s gem.
Per sportsbooks, Addison has around +1700 odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY), with men like Bijan Robinson (RB, Atlanta Falcons, +300) and Bryce Young (QB, Carolina Panthers, +400) leading the way.
But on SI.com’s Matt Verderame OROY list, Addison is fourth in line. He wrote about Addison on Tuesday, “Addison makes a ton of sense as the one to watch for this season. While Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston will have to battle for targets with other established receivers, Addison will slot in comfortably as a starter in Minnesota with Justin Jefferson. And considering Jefferson is the league’s best wideout, the USC rookie is assured of never seeing double coverage or the opponent’s top corner.”
Addison must first win a WR2 job from K.J. Osborn, a daunting task as the incumbent Vikings wideout is a productive veteran. At some point, though, Addison must ascend to WR2. Otherwise, Laquon Treadwell mentions will be invoked.
‘The Vikings also love to throw the ball, as evidenced by quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing for more than 4,200 yards and at least 29 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. Provided he learns the offense quickly, Addison is a great bet to make an instant impact for Minnesota’s attack,” Verderame concluded.
Five Vikings have won OROY in league history — Chuck Foreman (1973), Sammy White (1976), Randy Moss (1998), Adrian Peterson (2007), and Percy Harvin (2009).
Vederame’s top three OROY contenders before Addison? Bryce Young, Bijan Robinson, and Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts).
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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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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